Advancing Women project

Australia’s Gender Equality Scorecard 2022 confirms what we all already know – women remain underrepresented in decision making roles. Concerningly, however, the same scorecard makes no reference to the underrepresentation of women with disability not only in the workplace, but in those same leadership roles. Women with disability are yet to even be considered in the nationwide debate on gender and workplace equality. The Advancing Women project is here to change that, and place representation of women with disability in decision making roles firmly on the national agenda, creating access and opportunities for a body of women who are, in fact, already willing and ready to lead.

About the project

The Advancing Women project seeks to improve outcomes for women, girls, feminine-identifying and non-binary people with disability in Australia across leadership representation and workforce participation and safety. This project will look to break down the societal barriers to participation in leadership and decision making roles, creating access and opportunities for women with disability who are ready and willing to lead. The project aims to engage the hearts and minds of leading professionals and everyday workers to create a critical mass of allies who can help build a more employable future for all women with disability.

This community-based co-designed project seeks women, girls, feminine-identifying and non-binary people with disability from both metropolitan and regional areas, to inform and shape the project. We want to start with a genuine understanding of the barriers and enablers to leadership representation you have experienced.

Click here to download an Advancing Women Information PDF Pack.

The Advancing Women project will go on to deliver two programs, co-designed with women with disability:

1. An educational program for employer organisations designed to educate a disability confident workforce and promote workplace participation and safety for women with disability
2. A mentor program for women with disability to support sustainable leadership, networking and career confidence and progression.

Have your say

The Advancing Women project is seeking to learn about your experiences in the workplace, either as a woman with disability or as an employer. By contributing to this research, you will be supporting the Advancing Women project in raising awareness of and addressing the barriers and enablers to workplace and leadership participation for women with disability. The results of this research will inform the Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis Report, which will be published in June 2023.

• If you are a woman with disability click here to read more and take the survey
• If you are an employer click here to read more and take the survey

• Apply to join the Advancing Women Project’s Expert Advisory Panel
• Contribute to research about barriers and enablers (employers, organisations and women with disability)
• Participate in the co-design of the project and provide your input, feedback and guidance.

Get in touch

If you would like more information or want to discuss any part of this project, please contact Lizzy Fowler at lizzyf@pwd.org.au.

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