Program description
Over one-third of women with disability experience one or more forms of intimate partner violence (148). Ending violence against women and gender diverse people with disability starts with open conversations, challenging biases and taking action to ensure that everyone is safe and equal. That’s why, during 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2024, Respect Victoria and Women with Disabilities Victoria partnered to deliver the campaign Agency, Access, Action. The campaign brought the voices and expertise of women and gender diverse people with disability to the front, exploring respect, ableism and agency, workplace access, dating, fashion, disability pride and the power of handstands.
Consisting of 13 short videos, the campaign focused on individuals sharing their own story and unpacking stereotypes that people with disability face. The videos also highlighted the biases that all of us can hold about abilities, wants, needs, decision-making, dating and relationships, who deserves to ask for care, and who should be respected.
Insights
The co-designed content was accessible, authentic, joyful and engaging.
A formal evaluation has not been undertaken, but there are clear indicators of growth and reach achieved through the campaign. Notably, the video on chronic pain achieved 1.3 million views on Instagram and generated a high volume of positive audience engagement. Both Respect Victoria and Women with Disabilities Victoria recorded an increase in followers and online engagement during and following the campaign period. In addition, audience engagement extended beyond Victoria to interstate and international audiences, suggesting that the campaign contributed to broader community awareness and visibility on the issue. The campaign was co-designed with women from Women with Disabilities Victoria’s Experts by Experience group. Co-design enabled storytelling from a place of agency and strength, while still sharing the difficult realities of disability. The co-design process strengthened the relationship between partner organisations.
Respect Victoria’s capacity to support community-led storytelling increased, including a deepening of its understanding of how to co-design creative work that that promotes access and agency. Lessons learned through this partnership included the value of building trust between organisations and cast and crew by allowing time and multiple meetings to ensure participants felt informed and comfortable before filming began.
Key takeaway
This project demonstrated the value of gendered violence organisations, community-led organisations and people with lived experience co-designing campaigns. A paid partnership between organisations enabled Women with Disabilities Victoria to flexibly direct resources to support experts to participate. Regular conversations, adapted timelines and a willingness to learn and adjust throughout the process supported safety and quality. The campaign itself showed that it is possible to highlight violence and discrimination towards women with disability in a way that recognises their strengths, as they use their own voices to tell the story in the best way for them.
Prevention work can and should use trauma-informed and psychologically safe approaches, to ensure people with lived experience can shape and participate in the work. Partnerships between organisations and communities that prioritise power and resource sharing are best placed to deliver respectful, relevant and meaningful work.