Campaigns
16 Days of Activism 2021
against gender-based violence
We call for an end to violence against women with disabilities.
In 2021, we took part in 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The international campaign started on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ended on December 10, Human Rights Day. It also encompassed December 3, International Day of People with Disability.
In line with Respect Victoria’s theme for 2020/2021, Respect Women: Call it Out, we spoke about what respect means for women with disabilities, sharing our resources on violence prevention.
Day 1
Our animated video “Understanding Disability” talks about 6 keystones: the social model of disability, human rights, gender equality, intersectionality, centering lived experience and disability pride.
When these 6 keystones are in place, we can work together for a more inclusive and equitable society.
Day 2
Women with disabilities are much more likely to experience violence than women without disabilities and have unique challenges when it comes to seeking support.
This factsheet looks at some of the statistics regarding violence against women with disabilities, and can be shared with health professionals, support workers and anyone who works with women with disability.
Day 3
A short doco on the journey of survivor-advocate and WDV member Nicole Lee, filmed as part of our Do Your Thing series. Nicole talks about family, re-finding herself and her advocacy through the media.
Day 4
One of the main drivers of violence against women with disabilities is the condoning of that violence, particularly when perpetrated by someone in a caring role.
We have created a video resource, featuring women with disabilities and one ally, discussing their personal experience and knowledge on the issue.
The video is accompanied by information sheets, speaking more directly to the causes and actions that can be taken. These can be viewed in PDF and Word formats.
Day 5
To microaggressions against women with disabilities – those annoying little comments and actions that reveal deeply held sexist and ableist attitudes and beliefs – we say no!
In this series of images, we look at some of the microaggressions women with disabilities often hear or experience, and what they reveal about the attitudes of the people who make them.
Day 6
For many people with disabilities, the NDIS funds our essential supports. However, despite making up 49% of people with disabilities in Australia, only 37% of NDIS participants are women.
We have partnered with UNSW and Women with Disabilities ACT for research on why women are not equally represented in the NDIS. The study includes a literature review and interviews with women.
Women interviewed spoke about some of the reasons that women are under-represented in the NDIS. Reasons included that women are taught to hide or mask symptoms, that women and men are treated differently when they attempt to negotiate supports, and that conditions women experienced are not as often medically diagnosed as those experienced by men.
A series of publications will come from this project. The first two are out now in the International Journal for Equity in Health and in Broad Agenda.
Day 7
Sexual health services should be available and accessible to women with disabilities.
Women with disabilities are sometimes infantilised and assumed not to be having sex, or assumptions might be made that we do not want (or should not be having) children.
This can lead to sexual health services neglecting the needs of women with disabilities, or providing care that is inappropriate or inaccessible.
At Women with Disabilities Victoria, we have produced a series of educational videos for healthcare providers through our AcceSex program, exploring a range issues.
How to be Intersectional on Disability, Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health
How to be more Accessible in a Hospital or Clinical Setting
How to Deliver Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare to Women with Disabilities
We also have a fact sheet on sexual and reproductive health for women with disabilities:
Day 8
We want diverse media representation that doesn’t rely on tropes about women with disabilities as tragic figures, victims, recipients of charity or tales of inspiration.
We want to be represented in all our diversity, with interests, quirks, jobs, hobbies, sexuality, family, ethnicity and community. We want to see women with disabilities in lead roles, not always as the supporting characters.
WDV has produced a series of videos exploring the complex lives of women with disabilities doing our own thing in our communities, which you can watch online (opens in new window).
Day 9
One of the main drivers of violence against women with disabilities is a lack of financial and physical freedom to leave abusive, coercive relationships.
This may be due to lack of access to work or essential supports, or barriers to independent decision-making including guardianship laws.
We have created a video resource featuring women with disabilities discussing their own experiences, and some of the barriers we face to having control over our own decision-making.
The video is accompanied by information sheets, speaking more directly to the causes and actions that can be taken. These can be viewed in PDF and Word formats.
Day 10
Like everyone, women with disabilities have a right to safety and respect. Sadly, we live in an ableist and patriarchal world where family violence against women and people with disabilities are too often normalised.
In this video resource, made for women with disabilities, we talk about family violence, the ways it impacts us, and our rights under the current law (CW: Descriptions of violence)
The video is best watched accompanied by the video guide which can be found in PDF and accessible formats, along with an audio described version of the video.
If you are impacted by family violence, or need someone to talk to after watching this video, 1800 RESPECT can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Lifeline can be contacted on 13 11 14.
Day 11
One of the drivers of violence against women with disabilities is stereotypes – stereotypes about men and women (women as passive and emotional, men as dominant and aggressive) and about disability (low expectations, infantilisation).
We have created a video resource, featuring women with disabilities and one ally, describing their experiences and the impact of being stereotyped.
The video is accompanied by information sheets, speaking more directly to the causes and actions that can be taken. These can be viewed in PDF and Word formats.
Day 12
Women with Disabilities Victoria collaborated with National Disability Services to develop four short films to help disability workers identify and respond to family violence.
The films are:
- Preventing and responding to family violence.
- Prevention of domestic and family violence.
- Early intervention in domestic and family violence.
- Responding to domestic and family violence.
Day 13
Violence prevention strategies are not always inclusive of women with disabilities. That’s why, on Day 13 of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we’re sharing our Toolkit for Women’s Health Services.
Day 14
We all have a right to safe and supportive sexual and reproductive healthcare. However, women with disabilities sometimes find ourselves dealing with assumptions and stereotypes from healthcare professionals that can lead to negative outcomes or even traumatic experiences within the healthcare system.
Day 15
One of the drivers of violence against people from marginalised groups is people with more power using exclusion and disrespect toward people without power as a means of bonding with each other. In these stories, women with disabilities talk about their experiences of this.
The video is accompanied by information sheets, speaking more directly to the causes and actions that can be taken. These can be viewed in PDF and Word formats.
Day 16
For the last of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we have shared a campaign developed by Women’s Health East on the importance of equality in preventing violence against women with disabilities.
We have partnered with Women’s Health East on the Margins to the Mainstream project, in which 10 women with diverse disabilities took part in online skills development sessions. The women codesigned the campaign.
You can find the campaign here or through the Twitter thread below..
16 Days of Activism 2020
against gender-based violence
In 2020, we ran a social media campaign for the annual international ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign. In line with Respect Victoria’s theme for the campaign: Respect Women: Call it Out, we focussed on increasing respect towards women with disabilities and encouraged members of the public to embrace respectful behaviours and actions.
Respect Women: Call it Out
Day 1
Explanation:
Women with disabilities have a right to make decisions about every area of their life. Women with disabilities have a right to make decisions about parenting, sex, medication, relationships, friendships, what we want to eat or drink, personal care, health care, who we want to live with, what we spend our money on, where we want to go. Supporting our decision-making means providing access to important information about our particular situation, giving us the time we need to understand our options, and taking a back seat so we can drive our own agenda.
Day 2
Explanation:
Women with disabilities have a right to decide what happens to our bodies, including what clothes we wear, how we want to do our hair, what medical procedures we undertake, and how we want to move through the world. Nobody can touch our bodies without our consent – not healthcare workers, not friends, not lovers, not family, not a friendly person on the street trying to help. Ask us before touching us or helping us, and accept if we decline assistance.
Day 3
Explanation:
No person, organisation or government should be developing or implementing policies or practices that impact women with disabilities lives without first hearing from us about our needs, perspectives, insights, solutions, concerns and desires. “Nothing about us without us” means centering our experience.
Day 4
Explanation:
Sexism and ableism are not always overt acts of aggression. Question if there are subtle ways that women with disabilities are being excluded, demeaned or made assumptions about, and speak out when you see it.
Day 5
Explanation:
When well-intentioned support workers, carers, employers or family members adopt risk-averse practices, it can increase women with disabilities’ dependence, erode self-esteem, lead to missed opportunities to learn new skills, and lead to isolation. Risk can never be fully eliminated. Adopt a positive risk attitude and enable supported risk-taking.
Day 6
Explanation:
Women with disabilities can be and are leaders. We have a unique perspective of the world, meaning that sometimes we see solutions that others cannot.
Day 7
Explanation:
Women with disabilities are the experts of our own lives and our own experiences – so listen to us.
Day 8
Explanation:
Women with disabilities can make our own choices about if and when we have sex, if and when we use contraception, and if and when we want to become parents. We have a right to sex-positive respectful relationships education and accessible information and services.
Day 9
Explanation:
Women with disabilities are subjected to both the gender pay gap and the disability pay gap and are more likely to be living in poverty. Yet women with disabilities are also frequently expected to volunteer their time for free on committees, boards and advisory groups as a strategy to bring a “disability perspective” to an organisation or under the pretence that we will “gain experience” from our unpaid work. Women with disabilities deserve fair pay.
Day 11
Explanation:
Women with disabilities are frequently dismissed or have their complaints ignored. Believe us when we say we have a disability (even if you can’t see it). Believe us when we say we have pain. Believe us when we say that we have thought through a decision and weighed up the risks. Believe us when we say we don’t want help. Believe us when we say we have been mistreated or been made to feel uncomfortable. Believe us when we disclose that we have been abused.
Day 12
Explanation:
Refocus attention to what women with disabilities can do instead of what you think we cannot do, and don’t be surprised when we exceed your expectations.
Day 13
Explanation:
Accessible spaces are more than just ramps, rails and toilets. Universal design principles matter a lot, but the attitudes of people are just as important to ensure accessibility. Flexibility and willingness to make person-centred adjustments and cultural safety are just as important to ensuring a space is accessible and welcoming.
Day 14
Explanation:
Be patient (don’t rush the conversation). Speak in your usual tone (unless you are asked to speak up). Speak to me (not about me to my carer or family member). Check if I need equipment or an interpreter to communicate.
Day 15
Explanation:
Women with disabilities are frequently discouraged from becoming parents. When we become parents, we are frequently assumed to unable to provide for our children. Like any job, women with disabilities can thrive in a parenting role when we are given the support, advice, advocacy and equipment we need.
Day 16
Explanation:
Women with disabilities are proudly visible and live our lives in plain view. We have developed our own culture, with our own jokes, our own ways of communicating,
Celebrating disability is about more than just inclusion. It’s about understanding that women with disabilities develop and drive our own culture, one where we are proudly visible, where we know our own worth and where we live in plain view. We have our own jokes, our own ways of communicating, our own visions of the equitable world we want to live in. We have sub-cultures within disability culture; we are diverse. We aren’t just needing to be included in society, rather we understand ourselves as a driving force.
16 Day of Activism 2019
against gender-based violence
In 2019, we ran a social media campaign for ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’. The campaign focussed on common micro-aggressions and disrespectful behaviour that we experience.
Some of the statements and actions we looked at are not inherently cruel or abusive – some even come from a caring place – however, lack of knowledge about gender and disability can create a culture where people behave disrespectfully. Our campaign shed light on this, and provided information on how to be more respectful about the consent and agency of women with disabilities.
We also made a tip sheet, 12 Principles of Respectful Communication with Women with Disabilities that gives simple guidelines on how we can improve our day to day interactions.
Respect Women: Call it Out
Day 1
Explanation:
Though it may come from a place of care or concern, a woman’s disability, including a vision or mobility impairment, does not make it okay to touch her without her consent. If you wish to offer someone support, ask first, and be aware that she has the right to refuse.
Day 2
Explanation:
Women with sensory impairments are often told or asked if their other senses are heightened as a result of their disability. This is an invasive question and perpetuates an ‘us and them’ mentality, which sets the woman with disability apart from the person making the comment in yet another way. Do not ask personal questions about a woman’s disability.
Day 3
Explanation:
Do not assume that a woman with a disability needs a carer. Women with disabilities are independent and may not need or want a carer, or may only use a carer sometimes. They have a right to be out alone whenever they wish, and their actions do not make them in any way responsible if violence were to occur. Male violence is the fault of men alone.
Day 4
Explanation:
Calling a woman ‘inspiring’ simply for going about their day to day activities suggests that their disability is something that you would find it unthinkable to live with. Women with disabilities don’t exist to provide inspiration or motivation, they are people just like everyone else.
Day 5
Explanation:
Women with disabilities are incredibly resilient, adaptable and strong. Don’t presume that someone needs your help unless you are explicitly asked. Performing tasks for a woman with disability takes away her agency, and is a controlling and aggressive behaviour.
Day 6
Explanation:
Suggesting that you wouldn’t enter into a relationship with a woman based on her disability alone constitutes ableism, and contributes to a culture where violence against people with disabilities is prolific. Sexist attitudes that perpetuate the idea that a man can have his ‘choice’ of women compounds the impact of this for women with disabilities.
Day 7
Explanation:
Women with disabilities have a depth of knowledge and experience, both in the area of disability but in all other fields, professions and skillsets. Suggesting that a woman with disability was only hired for being ‘diverse’ disregards these skills and abilities, and takes away her credibility as a contributing member of an organisation.
Day 8
Explanation:
Women with disabilities are sexual beings as much as able-bodied people. Depriving young people with disabilities access to sex and respectful relationships education means that as adults, they may not have the tools to navigate sex and relationships in a safe way. This is especially dangerous considering the high rates of sexual and intimate partner violence perpetrated against women with disabilities.
Day 9
Explanation:
Making a space accessible for people with disabilities should be a consideration whether or not there are people with disabilities working there at that particular time. If spaces aren’t accessible this creates an additional barrier to recruitment of people with disabilities, and put the burden on the new employee to make changes happen around them.
Day 10
Explanation:
Women with disabilities are as diverse as any other group of people, spanning different ages, backgrounds, religions and sexual identities, as well as extremely varied experiences of disability. Don’t assume that one woman with a disability can speak for all others.
Day 11
Explanation:
The infantalisation of women with disabilities and the concept of a ‘mental age’ suggests that women with cognitive or intellectual disabilities are not really adults. This is incredibly marginalising and contributes to a culture where violence and control is accepted because women ‘don’t understand’, or don’t have the ability to make decisions about their own life.
Day 12
Explanation:
Women with disabilities have a right to privacy as much as women and men without disabilities. These kinds of questions are invasive and personal; you wouldn’t ask them of anyone else so don’t assume it is okay to ask them of a woman with disability.
Day 13
Explanation:
Language that dehumanises or objectifies women with disabilities contributes to a culture that condones violence against people with disabilities, especially in institutional or care settings. Women with disabilities are individuals with rights, wants and agency, not just the job you do for a salary.
Day 14
Explanation:
As for people without disabilities, women with disabilities have varied sexual preferences and identities. When women with disabilities are desexualised their agency is limited, and poor sexual education for young people with disabilities makes them more vulnerable to controlling or abusive behaviours within a relationship. When women with disabilities are sexually objectified, their consent is taken away from them and they are put at risk of experiencing sexual violence.
Day 15
Explanation:
Many people with disabilities do not consider their conditions to be debilitating. Women with disabilities often take pride in their diversity, as highlighted by the neuro-diversity pride movement, and the cultural strength of the deaf community. By suggesting they are suffering you are diminishing their experience and disregarding the joy they have in their lives.
Day 16
Explanation:
People can be born with a disability or acquire a disability at any time in their life. Comments such as this one not only invalidate the woman with a disability’s own experience, they perpetuate societal views about disability that mean there are less and poorer support services for young women with disabilities.
Do Your Thing
Able-bodied people (men in particular) may look to the media and see themselves in stories they can relate or aspire to. Women with disabilities are not shown role models who share our experiences in the same way. When we do see ourselves represented on TV or radio or in books, we are often spoken about rather than telling our own stories. Our stories often appear to be “inspiring” in a way that is not relatable, or tragic or something to be sad about.
The ‘Do Your Thing’ project aims to fill some of this gap, with a series of 10 real and relatable stories, featuring a diverse range of women with disabilities from Victoria. The women share their experiences of engaging with their communities through their work, interests and advocacy
Do Your Thing (with Captions)
Do Your Thing - Rosie
Do Your Thing - Ricky
Do Your Thing - Akasha
You can find a playlist of the ‘Do Your Thing’ videos with audio description on our YouTube Channel.
This project was supported by the Victorian Government.