Women with Disabilities Victoria

Women with Disabilities Victoria Not-for-profit organisation run by and for women and gender diverse people with disabilities in Victoria. Membership is free. Join us today!

Our current priority issues are:
> stop violence against women and gender diverse people with disabilities;
> create better supports for women and gender diverse people with disabilities as parents, and;
> promote access to health services for women and gender diverse people with disabilities.

In our last post for 16 Days of Activism this year, WDV’s Youth Experts explore actions that we can all take to help end...
11/12/2025

In our last post for 16 Days of Activism this year, WDV’s Youth Experts explore actions that we can all take to help end digital violence against women and gender diverse people with disabilities.

WDV's Youth Experts by Experience are young women and gender diverse people with disabilities aged 18-27. Members use their lived experience to enable empowerment and leadership opportunities for their peers and provide a youth perspective to support WDV's work.

As this post covers aspects of digital violence, please continue with this in mind. You can contact 1800 Respect if you would like more information or support.
Phone: 1800 737 732 Text: 0458 737 732 Website: www.1800respect.org.au

Resources mentioned in this post include:
Scope, Be Safe Online Toolkit - https://www.scopeaust.org.au/disability-services/communication-aids/be-safe-online
eSafety Commission, Online Safety Checklist - https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/online-safety-checklist





ID: There are 10 Tiles with a sandy coloured background, with various bright orange shapes on the edges and corners.
Various WDV logos are used throughout, including our dark purple logo and a yellow, orange and brown WDV Youth logo.
ID: Continued here: https://www.wdv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Image-Descriptions-_Online-Safety.docx

Women with Disabilities Victoria warmly invites you to join our last Online Leadership Hub meeting for 2025! 💻 The last ...
09/12/2025

Women with Disabilities Victoria warmly invites you to join our last Online Leadership Hub meeting for 2025! 💻

The last meeting for the year will be held via Zoom on Wednesday the 17th of December, from 5:30PM to 6:30PM. During this upcoming meeting, WDV hosts Tegan and Bridget will reflect on 2025, as well as open the floor to discussions about what attendees would like to achieve in 2026.

As a reminder, WDV’s Online Hub is a space for women and gender diverse people to connect, share and grow together. Whether you're attending to learn something new, meet like-minded people, or just explore ideas, you're in the right place. There is no cost to be a part of the hub or attend meetings!

You can register for the meeting here: https://wwdv.wildapricot.org/event-6418595 📣

Please register to attend before 4:00PM (at the latest) on the day. A reminder that registering for one session does not automatically register you for each fortnightly meeting; please note that you have to register individually for the ongoing meeting dates.

If you have any questions, please contact hubs@wdv.org.au.

Image description: A social media tile with a light purple background. The white WDV logo is positioned in the top right corner and to the bottom left is a large PNG graphic of a purple speech bubble. White text inside the speech bubble reads: “Join WDV’s Online Leadership Hub” and “Last meeting for 2025 on Wednesday the 17th of December”. A graphic of orange lines highlights the date of the meeting. Below the bubble is a curved orange arrow to the left of a PNG graphic of a woman or gender diverse person with disabilities shown sitting in a wheelchair. They’re wearing headphones and have a phone in their hand. A solid graphic shape, which is a dark purple cover, is positioned behind them.

Taking a deeper look at the theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism, WDV’s Youth Experts help explain a growing issue ...
08/12/2025

Taking a deeper look at the theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism, WDV’s Youth Experts help explain a growing issue for women and gender diverse people with disabilities. We hope this post can inform and help people to better understand forms of digital violence.

WDV's Youth Experts by Experience are young women and gender diverse people with disabilities aged 18-27. Members use their lived experience to enable empowerment and leadership opportunities for their peers and provide a youth perspective to support WDV's work more broadly.

As this post looks at terms related to digital violence, please continue with this in mind. You can contact 1800 Respect if you would like more information or support.

Phone: 1800 737 732

Text: 0458 737 732

Website: 1800respect.org.au







ID:
There are 10 Tiles with a sandy coloured background, with various bright orange shapes on the edges and corners.
Various WDV logos are used throughout, including our dark purple logo and a yellow, orange and brown WDV Youth logo.

Tile1 : 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This year’s theme is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”. But what do we mean by ‘digital violence’?
Tile 2: “Digital violence is abuse that occurs through technologies and online platforms such as phones, computers or social media. Here are some terms to help us better understand how violence is performed against someone, or experienced in digital spaces. These types of violence can be committed by strangers and by people we know. The impacts of digital violence are equally as important as violence that occurs in person.” Includes graphics of an open laptop and mobile phone in deep purple.
ID continued in comments.

04/12/2025

Everyone deserves safety, respect and autonomy — yet, for many women and gender diverse people with disabilities, these rights are still denied. They continue to face disproportionate discrimination, violence and abuse.

As a part of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign in 2024, WDV partnered with Respect Victoria to create a video campaign to challenge stereotypes and elevate lived expertise of women and gender diverse people with disabilities.

This year, we are happy to share our new case study emphasising the importance of partnership and ongoing consultation with people who have lived experience — because real change begins when we listen, learn and act. 🌟

You can read the full case study on the WDV website here: https://bit.ly/wdvrv16days2024

Video description: Studio with warm lighting, a blue wall in the background and peach-toned curtains illuminated by light. Different women and gender diverse people with disabilities speak about what disability pride means to them. The words they say appear on the screen in white text.

WDV’s Acting CEO, Julie Kun, says about the Treaty: “Women with Disabilities Victoria stands firmly in support of the V...
03/12/2025

WDV’s Acting CEO, Julie Kun, says about the Treaty:

“Women with Disabilities Victoria stands firmly in support of the Victorian Treaty as a crucial step towards justice and self-determination for the First Peoples of Victoria. Now is the time to take decisive action to acknowledge sovereignty and ensure a future for all Victorians that is grounded in truth, respect and fairness.”

The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria is holding a Treaty celebration on the evening of Friday the 12th of December at Federation Square. For more information about the upcoming event, and the Treaty itself, visit: https://firstpeoplesvic.org 🖤💛❤️

Image description: An image of five WDV staff members, including Acting CEO Julie Kun, holding up signs in support of the Victorian Treaty in front of WDV’s office. There is a partially obstructed WDV branded banner shown behind them.

We’re currently in 16 Days of Activism. But what is 16 Days of Activism all about? WDV’s Youth Experts break it down for...
02/12/2025

We’re currently in 16 Days of Activism.
But what is 16 Days of Activism all about? WDV’s Youth Experts break it down for us.

WDV's Youth Experts by Experience are young women and gender diverse people with disabilities aged 18-27. The Youth Experts use their lived experience to enable empowerment and leadership opportunities for their peers and provide a youth perspective to support WDV's work.




Image Description
There are 10 Tiles with a sandy coloured background, with various bright orange shapes on the edges and corners.
Various WDV logos are used throughout, including our dark purple logo, and a yellow, orange and brown WDV Youth logo.

Tile 1:
“What is 16 Days of Activism?”
Tile 2:
“This post was written by WDV's Youth Experts.
Whilst digital abuse is a threat to everyone - girls, young women, and gender diverse people with disabilities are at an increased risk of experiencing digital violence.
Online safety continues to be a critical youth issue."
An illustration of a person with pink hair is on the right of the tile.
Tile 3:
“16 Days of activism
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign led by the United Nations (UN) each year.
During the 16 Day period, communities around the world join the call and take action to prevent and stop gender based violence.”
The logo for UN Women – For all women and girls is at the bottom.
Tile 4:
“This year’s theme
The theme for 2025 is: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”
Digital violence is the fastest-growing form of abuse against women and girls.
This shows that digital safety is central to gender equality.”
There is an illustration a person holding a phone.
(ID continued in caption).

‘Bridging the Gender Pain Gap’ was created to inform improved model of care and service delivery for Victorian women exp...
01/12/2025

‘Bridging the Gender Pain Gap’ was created to inform improved model of care and service delivery for Victorian women experiencing pain and living with pain conditions.

In our response to this report, WDV acknowledged the overrepresentation of women and girls with disabilities living with pain and provided opportunities and recommendations as to how the government can actively address and work to reduce the gender pain gap.

To be successful, WDV believes this work must be led by women and gender diverse people with disabilities living with pain. 🤝

You can read the full response on the WDV website here: www.wdv.org.au/our-work/our-work-with-government/submissions-2

Image description: A social media tile with a sandy coloured background. The WDV logo is positioned in the top right corner and below it is title text in bold, purple font that reads: “WDV Responds To: Women’s Pain Inquiry Report”. Underneath that is a paragraph with smaller purple text that says: “We have responded to the publication of the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into Women’s Pain Report: 'Bridging the Gender Pain Gap'” and below that, in the bottom right corner, is a PNG graphic of two overlapping magnifying glasses. The smaller of the pair is orange and the larger one is a light purple.

Women with Disabilities Victoria warmly invites you to join our next Online Leadership Hub meeting! 💻 Our Online Hub is ...
27/11/2025

Women with Disabilities Victoria warmly invites you to join our next Online Leadership Hub meeting! 💻

Our Online Hub is a space for women and gender diverse people to connect, share and grow together. Whether you're attending to learn something new, meet like-minded people, or just explore ideas, you're in the right place. There is no cost to be a part of the hub or attend meetings!

The next meeting, held via Zoom on Wednesday the 3rd of December from 5:30PM to 6:30PM, will coincide with International Day of People with Disabilities! During the meeting, WDV hosts Tegan and Bridget will look at this year’s theme of "Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress". Inspired by Power in Culture and Ethnicity’s video series 'Recipe for rights', there will also be discussions around what it means to be an advocate.

You can register for the meeting on Wednesday the 3rd of December here: https://wwdv.wildapricot.org/event-6418595

Please register to attend before 4:00PM (at the latest) on the day. A reminder that registering for one session does not automatically register you for each fortnightly meeting; please note that you have to register individually for the ongoing meeting dates.

If you have any questions, please contact hubs@wdv.org.au.

Image description: A social media tile with a light purple background. The white WDV logo is positioned in the top right corner and to the bottom left is a large PNG graphic of a purple speech bubble. White text inside the speech bubble reads: “Join WDV’s Online Leadership Hub” and “Next meeting on Wednesday the 3rd of December”. Below the bubble is a curved yellow arrow to the left of a PNG graphic of a woman or gender diverse person with disabilities shown sitting at a desk with a laptop open in front of them. A solid graphic shape, which is a light sandy colour, is positioned behind them.

This WDV submission was centred around making recommendations that would provide more protections to women and gender di...
26/11/2025

This WDV submission was centred around making recommendations that would provide more protections to women and gender diverse people with disabilities. 📃

WDV's submission was informed by consultations with our Gender & Disability (G&D) Experts by Experience Advocates, Youth Experts by Experience Advocates and experts on gender pay equity and violence at work.

You can read the full submission on the WDV website here: www.wdv.org.au/our-work/our-work-with-government/submissions-2

Image description: A purple social media tile with large, bold white and yellow text saying: “Disability Discrimination Act” and below this title text, a smaller paragraph in white text reads: “This month, WDV made a submission to the Australian Government’s public consultation on the ways to reform the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)”. The white WDV logo is in the top right corner and a graphic of two stylised people, one light purple and one orange, with a heart shape on one person’s chest is positioned in the bottom right corner.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Trishima (Trish) Mitra-Kahn as our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)...
26/11/2025

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Trishima (Trish) Mitra-Kahn as our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), commencing 5th January 2026!

Dr. Mitra-Kahn’s appointment follows an extensive search led by executive recruitment firm Brooker Consulting and a rigorous selection process.

Dr. Mitra-Kahn is currently a Director at Safe Steps and was previously Director of Research and Planning at Family Safety Victoria where she delivered significant Royal Commission initiatives and co-led Victoria’s input into the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Regarding her new appointment, Dr. Mitra-Kahn said: “It is an honour to take up this role alongside such a skilled staff team, dedicated Board, and active membership. As a Disabled woman, I am committed to learning from and amplifying the expertise of our diverse community, who for decades have led the way on ensuring we can lead safe and thriving lives. I look forward to being guided by our members’ and community’s tenacity and wisdom for I know that collectively, we hold the solutions.”

Dr. Mitra-Kahn will be succeeding Julie Kun, who has been WDV's Acting CEO since October 2024. WDV's Board extends its deepest gratitude and warm congratulations to Julie for her transformational leadership.
Acting CEO Julie Kun thanked the Board, and WDV staff, and added: “I am thrilled that someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Dr. Mitra-Kahn is stepping into the CEO role. I am confident WDV will be in excellent hands.”
You can read the full media release here: www.wdv.org.au/wdv-appoints-sector-leader-for-its-next-phase-of-impact/

ID: Photo of Dr. Mitra-Kahn, smiling at the camera, outside with a rustic brick wall in background.

25/11/2025

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It's also the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, with this year’s theme being ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls’.

Women and gender diverse people with disabilities face disproportionately higher rates of violence. Far too often, our voices go unheard.

We must centre these stories and uplift these voices to work towards a future where everyone can live free from violence.

Video description: In this video, Zoe is sitting down, shown speaking to the camera from various distances and angles. She is wearing a pink dress with sparkles, and a flower headband. Zoe is placed in the forefront of a red-hued background, which is mostly obstructed from view. Zoe talks about how consent is particularly important for disabled people, as we often don’t have it in our lives. She highlights how having consent is essential in many aspects of everything we do.

Registrations have been extended for our in person training session this 16 Days of Activism! 👀 Join WDV on Internationa...
20/11/2025

Registrations have been extended for our in person training session this 16 Days of Activism! 👀

Join WDV on International Day of Persons with Disabilities to learn about how gender and disability inequality drives violence, and how you can prevent it. Designed for practitioners in the social and community services sectors, this in person training session is co-facilitated by the Gender & Disability Experts by Experience Advocates, a group of women and gender diverse people with lived experience of disability.

It will be held on Wednesday the 3rd of December at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre from 10:00AM to 11:30AM. The training will be followed by a light morning tea as an opportunity to connect with sector colleagues and continue conversations around challenging ableism, advancing gender equity, and building a culture of inclusion and respect.

The deadline to register for this session has been extended and is now closing on Tuesday the 25th of November. Don’t miss out! 📣

You can find out more, and register to attend, by clicking here: https://wwdv.wildapricot.org/event-6399872

Contact the WDV Gender and Disability Workforce Development Team at GandD@wdv.org.au with any questions.

[In 2025, Respect Victoria and Safe and Equal are working together to support local community engagement with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Women with Disabilities Victoria has been funded under Respect Victoria’s 16 Days of Activism grassroots initiative.]

Image description: A social media tile with a sandy coloured background. The WDV logo is shown at the top of the tile, placed against a curved dark purple background. There is a PNG graphic of a woman or gender diverse person handing out flyers in the bottom right hand corner. Details for an in-person training session on Wednesday the 3rd of December, as indicated above, are shown in purple text. Underneath large title text that reads: “16 Days of Activism Event” and “Introduction to Preventing Gender and Disability Based Violence”, there is a line of text that reads: “Registration period extended” with a curving orange arrow pointing towards it.

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