10 Years of the Enabling Women Program
At its heart Women with Disabilities Victoria was created by members who sought ‘to empower and support women with disabilities in Victoria to achieve their rights in the disability movement, the women’s movement and society in general by the provision of communication, information sharing, networking, advocacy, peer support and education’. For ten years now Enabling Women has embodied this message.
The EW10 Magazine
To celebrate this significant milestone; WDV have looked back at each Program, reflecting on the stories and the people in a new EW10 Magazine produced by Jessica Dean at We Start Now and compiled by the Community Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment team.
Watch the EW10 Film
Also produced by Jessica Dean, is a short film series where current staff and former participants speak about their experiences through the Enabling Program. Each guest expands on their ideas in a series of smaller videos that explore the wider themes of the Program and its future.
Watch the EW10 Film Series
Playlist
The EW10 Event
Held at the newly renovated Geelong Arts Centre, WDV celebrated the launch of the film and magazine with an event, both in Geelong and online. In person were WDV staff, former participants and Program supporters that included MPs, councillors and local media personalities. Guests were welcomed with an evening of music, food, drinks and guest speakers.
Online guests joined in from across the State to celebrate along with WDV’s Moira and Outer East Hub Liaison Officers Jenny Godwin and Libby Price. During breaks, the online attendees enjoyed reminiscing with friends over Zoom and speaking about their Enabling Women inspired plans to make a difference in their communities.
WDV Women’s Empowerment Officers and event hosts Brigitte Stone and Bridget Jolley, balanced proceedings with speeches from WDV CEO Nadia Mattiazzo, Community Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment Manager Liz Wright, Christine Couzens MP, State Member for Geelong, Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples, Representing the Minister for Women, Natalie Hutchins and a special video message from The Honourable Maree Edwards MP with music performances from Meg Stewart-Snoad and Isabella Khalife.
To capture the memories of EW10 the event was filmed. This includes in person Auslan Interpreters and online live captions. We also had a wonderful local photographer, Amy Carlon, taking pictures on the night.