The Advancing Women Project and Mentoring is Creating Real Change for Women with Disability
14 August 2025
We’re halfway through People with Disability Australia’s (PWDA) Advancing Women with Disability in the Workplace project, and the results are already making waves.
Funded by the Office for Women, this groundbreaking initiative is focused on increasing employment and leadership opportunities for women with disability. At its heart are co-designed workshops, led by women with disability, that deliver tailored education and mentoring to organisations. These sessions are not just informative—they’re transformative, offering practical insights into inclusive leadership and strategies to shift organisational culture.
So far, PWDA’s Strategic Projects Team has successfully delivered a 20-week mentoring pilot in partnership with a national organisation. Women with disability were paired with mentors in leadership roles and supported through online learning modules and interactive workshops. The result? Mentees gained vital skills, confidence, and peer networks, while mentors deepened their understanding of inclusion and the systemic barriers women with disability face in the workplace and on their path to leadership.
One thing is clear: women with disability are ready and capable leaders. What is required to change is workplaces that offer equitable access to leadership opportunities. This means organisations must commit to dismantling systemic barriers and building sustainable pathways to employment and advancement.
Looking ahead, the Advancing Women program will expand in August 2025, welcoming new partners and launching fresh activities shaped by participant feedback and evaluation. Change doesn’t happen overnight—but this project is a powerful step forward.
Together, we’re building a future where leadership is truly inclusive.
PWDA Advancing Women Project Officer
Training@pwd.org.au
1800 422 015