Women and non-binary people with disability are invited to join their local Women with Disabilities Victoria hub.
“Equity is not special treatment,” says Leanne Watson, a member of the not-for-profit Disabled Peoples Organisation (DPO) Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) Barwon Hub.
The Hub is a cherished place where once a month women and non-binary people with disability come together to discuss the changing world around them, hear from respected guests and ultimately strengthen their resolve to continue the long-waged battle for greater equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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“Nearly 1 in 5 Victorian women has a disability” confirms WDV, the State’s peak body for one of society’s most marginalised groups. Yet access and inclusion are still an afterthought if thought about at all. But it shouldn‘t have to be this way. Equity is achievable when approached authentically with empathy and understanding.
This is the message WDV’s Community Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment Team, including regional Hubs in Moira, Bendigo, Melbourne’s Outer East and Barwon hope to spread.
This International Women’s Day on the 8th of March, regional members of WDV are rallying together to not only ‘embrace equity’ but to provide their communities with simple tips they can use to truly embrace women with disability. Because equity is not special treatment, it is in fact, essential!
WDV are getting the message out by sharing a poster campaign, featuring the diverse faces of WDV staff and WDV Hub members from across Victoria. The posters will include individual quotes as well as simple tips for the community – including tips for specific groups like venues and employers. Embracing equity doesn’t have to be huge, but it can have a huge impact.
“This campaign is about solidarity. From our disparate parts of the State; the glittering coastlines of the Wadawarrung people in Barwon to the emerging city sites of Bendigo on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People, from the vast lands of Moira Shire on Yorta Yorta Country to the picturesque terrain of the Outer East of Melbourne on Wurundjeri and Bunurong Country, these women and non-binary people are connected. They have found their community, locally and internally.
“Each person in the Hubs, and each Hub in the State are unified by their shared experiences of marginalisation and discrimination based on disability and gender, however, it is their shared passion and determination to make their communities more equitable, inclusive and accessible that unites them.”
Women and non-binary people with disability are invited to join their local hub! Bendigo locals contact [email protected] and Barwon locals get onto [email protected] or jump on www.wdv.org.au for more.
Embrace Equity this March 08 by Supporting WDV’s poster campaign in your region, continue conversations about equity for women with disabilities or simply following WDV’s tips to embrace equity.
Find out more about International Women’s Day here.
