This year, WWDA has used the annual #16DaysOfActivism campaign as an opportunity to highlight the specific and unique forms of gender-based violence women, girls, feminine-identifying and non-binary people with disabilities still experience in our community.
From forced sterilisation, forced contraception use, forced abortion and child removals to lawful violence in the form of guardianship orders and substitute decision-making arrangements, women with disabilities have a right to be free from ALL forms of gender-based violence. In order to guarantee safety for women with disabilities and ensure our full human rights are realised, it is important our voices are listened to, and that the gender-based violence sector works in co-design with our community.
Every day this #16Days, we’ve put out a call to action, listing specific demands to help build a world free from violence for women, girls, feminine identifying and non-binary people with disabilities.
We’ve compiled these demands into our 2021 #16Days #SmashTheAbleism document, which can be viewed here.
Our final call to action invited the community to JOIN WITH US and endorse WWDA’s demands. By signing on, individuals and organisations showed their support for the call to end violence against women, girls, feminine identifying and non-binary people with disabilities.
With over 100 signatories supporting the demands, WWDA intends on sharing this open letter with key stakeholders, including relevant government parties, to consider for policy, law, and supports for women with disabilities and for consideration in funding.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence you can contact 1800RESPECT for counselling, support and referral. Call 1800 737 732. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. (We recognise that these services may not meet all of your needs, but we recommend these as the first point of contact).