The WWDA Youth Network is the youth branch of Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA), run by and for young women, girls, feminine identifying and non-binary young people with disabilities between the ages of 15-30.
The WWDA Youth Network uses the term young women and girls with disability to refer to young women, girls, feminine identifying and non-binary young people with disabilities (aged 15-30) across Australia.
The aim of WWDA Youth Network is to specifically voice the needs and rights of young women and girls with disabilities. We are a national voice, working as part of Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA), to empower young people through through the provision of information, resources, mentoring and leadership programs.
The objectives of the WWDA Youth Network are:
The objectives of the WWDA Youth Network are to:
- Actively promote the inclusion and empowerment of young women and girls with disabilities in all areas of life;
- To advocate for the issues and needs of young women and girls with disabilities in Australia;
- To educate and build the capacity of young women and girls with disabilities to understand and stand up for their rights, by:
a. Creating accessible resources that empower young women and girls with disabilities to learn about and stand up for their rights
b. Keeping the community up to date with relevant news, events and opportunities in the disability and women’s sectors nationally and internationally;
c. Supporting young women and girls with disability to participate in leadership opportunities, public consultations and education.
d. Promoting the representation of young women and girls with disabilities.
Background
The WWDA Youth Network was originally launched by WWDA in conjunction with the Minister for Women, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash on 30 July 2015 at an event at the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in Sydney.
Cashelle Dunn was the founder of the WWDA Youth Network and managed the WWDA Youth Network between 2015 and 2018. With support from Federal Government grants, Cashelle ran a number of initiatives under the WWDA Youth Network, including the development of a human rights toolkit for women and girls with disabilities and the launch of the WWDA Youth Network website, Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter.
In 2020, WWDA has decided to re-activate the WWDA Youth Network with the support of new grants and staff.