Women with Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) would like to voice several concerns about the Bill’s impact
on women, girls, non-binary and feminine identifying people with disabilities (hereafter referred to
as women). WWDACT supports the protection of human rights inclusive of freedom of religion, however, the practical impact on discrimination protections for women with disabilities has been
overlooked in the considerations of these bills.
You can read our full submission below.
Tag: Legislation
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Submission on the Religious Freedoms Bill
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Submission to the Justice and Community Safety Directorate: Sexual Assault Guidelines – Restorative Justice Referrals
WWDACT welcomes the opportunity to provide a response to the Justice and Community Safety Directorate development of Guidelines for referral of Sexual Assault to the Restorative Justice process in accordance with the Crimes (Restorative Justice) Act 2004 [CRJ Act].
You can read our submission below.
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Report: Contraception and Consent – A comparative analysis of the legal frameworks for accessing contraception
This research aims to improve women/girls with disabilities (cognitive, sensory, physical or dual disability) experiences in choosing a contraceptive device. The methodology followed adopts a human rights-based approach to provide a better understanding of contraception and consent issues concerning women with disabilities.
This research has been initiated by Women With Disabilities ACT (WWDACT). WWDACT is a systemic advocacy and peer support organisation for women and girls with disabilities in the ACT. WWDACT follows a human rights philosophy, based on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). WWDACT is a Disabled
People’s Organisation (DPO), governed by women with disabilities, and its proposals and recommendations to government are consistent with Article 4(3), and Article 29 of CRPD which outline the imperative for consultation.In the ACT, there are 32,600 women with a disability, who make up 52.5% of the population of people with disabilities, and 8.5% of the total population of the ACT (Australia Bureau of Statistics, Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers Australia, 2015). Many women with disabilities do not know about their reproductive rights. This arises from their limited access to sexual health education or information about reproduction, contraception, respectful relationships and sexuality. This is a barrier to them forming safe sexual relationships. Both young and adult women who have a learning disability which affects their decision-making, may be further compromised in exercising choice about contraception when third parties make decisions on their behalf. It is time to
empower people with disabilities by granting them equal access to society and having control over any needed medical treatment.You can read the full report below.
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Submission to the ACT Discrimination Act Review
WWDACT believes that the express inclusion of multiple discrimination in The Act will impact
positively on the overall wellbeing of the Australian people.21 WWDACT acknowledge that the
implementation of such a legislative provision will incur costs. However, we believe the overall
benefits on the life-expectancy, income, consumption, productivity, education levels, unemployment
levels, health and social capital of all stakeholders in Australian society will far outweigh these costs.
You can read our full submission below. -
Feedback on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012
Women with Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) is a systemic advocacy and peer support
organisation for women and girls with disabilities in the ACT. WWDACT follows a
human rights philosophy, based on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women. In the ACT there are 31,542 women with a disability, who make up 56.4%
of the total population with disabilities.We enthusiastically welcome the proposed introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the
Stage One NDIS launch site program that will commence in 2013 in the Australian
Capital Territory as one of the five national launch sites.You can read our submission below.
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Submission to Australian Law Reform Commission Inquiry on Family Violence – Commonwealth Laws
We have chosen to respond to this ALRC Inquiry into Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws because the United Nations Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has urged Australia to address, as a matter of priority, the abuse and violence experienced by women with disabilities living in institutions or supported accommodation. Institutions and supported accommodation are often a destination for women and girls with disabilities fleeing family violence and abuse: often a permanent solution. Together we need to break this perpetual cycle. We are grateful for the opportunity provided to make our views known. Our voices need to be heard.You can read our full submission below.