WDV eNews
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A Message from Our New CEO
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Welcome to the first WDV eNews for 2026!
Dear members and colleagues,
I am delighted to be writing my first CEO message to you all. It is an honour to take up this role alongside such a skilled staff team, dedicated Board, active membership and sector allies. I have spent the last 23 days meeting the team, our sector and Government colleagues and some of our deeply committed members. My focus has been and continues to be developing a deeper appreciation of the work we do and have done for decades. As a Disabled woman of colour, I am committed to learning from and amplifying the expertise of our diverse community, who have led the way on ensuring we can lead safe and thriving lives. I recognise the strong identity and herstorical roots that underpin WDV, and I approach this role with humility and genuine respect for that history and expertise.
I look forward to being guided by our members’ and community’s tenacity and wisdom for I know that collectively, we hold the solutions.
With warmth, Dr Trishima Mitra-Kahn
CEO |
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Image description: A photo of Dr Trishima Mitra-Kahn, smiling at the camera standing in front of a rustic brick wall. She is wearing a white, blue and tan coloured geometric print blouse, drop earrings and deep red lipstick. |
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Image description: A stylised icon against a transparent background. A part of the new WDV branding, a slowly opening light purple door is being depicted, with orange shading coming from the inside. This icon represents Opportunities. |
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Preventing Gender and Disability Based Violence
2-Part Professional Development for Individuals
65% of women and gender diverse people with disabilities have experienced violence. Together, we can prevent it.
to learn about how gender and disability inequality drives violence, and how you can prevent it. See below for session details.
Details
Part 1: Tuesday 3 March, 10am – 3pm
Part 2: Wednesday 4 March, 10am – 3pm
Both sessions include a lunch break and additional short breaks.
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: $350 employed professionals, $250 student/ concession
A limited number of subsidised places are available. Please contact GandD@wdv.org.au if cost is a barrier to participating.
To receive an invoice for payment, please select 'offline payment' option when registering.
Register online: https://wwdv.wildapricot.org/event-6509173 .
Registrations close Monday 16 February. To ensure we can accommodate any access requests, please register by this date.
Please see the outlined content below for more details.
What you will learn
Session 1: Introduction to Preventing Gender and Disability Based Violence
- How gender and disability inequality intersect to create disadvantage
- Impacts of violence against women and gender diverse people with disabilities
- New models of understanding disability and addressing ableism
- How our everyday actions and practice can contribute to violence
Session 2: Gender and Disability Prevention in Action
- How gender and disability equitable practice can create change to end violence
- Introducing concepts of inclusive and accessible practice
- Strategies and tools to prevent violence against women and gender diverse people with disabilities
- Resistance and backlash
- Bystander action
The series is facilitated by women and gender diverse people with disabilities and centres the voices of lived experience. It is evidence-based, aligning with the latest research on disability, Our Watch’s Changing the Landscape, and the Preventing Family Violence & Violence against Women Capability Framework.
For more information contact the Gender and Disability Workforce Development Team (03) 9286 7800 or GandD@wdv.org.au. |
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Preventing Gender and Disability Based Violence Credential
Previous training participants with Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV) are invited to submit an expression of interest (EoI) for our Preventing Gender and Disability Based Violence Credential (the Credential), to be recognised by WDV for their understanding and practice of preventing violence against women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
The Credential aims to equip social and community services professionals with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to prevent violence against women and gender diverse people with disabilities. It provides a collaborative learning environment where participants can share insights, discuss challenges and develop actionable plans.
Prevention is possible. Let’s make it inclusive!
What will you get from the Credential?
Practical tools – Action Plan template to turn ideas into action
Prevention and intersectional resources – For women and gender diverse people with disabilities and diverse communities, including migrant and refugee communities
Professional connection – Learn and share in reflective peer sessions
Flexible learning – Designed for busy professionals
What Previous Participants Are Saying
“It gave me the confidence to implement inclusive prevention strategies.”
“The action plan helped me get ideas out of my head and into action.”
“The credential reminded us why we do this work—and gave us the tools to do it better.”
Total cost: $150 (GST incl)
Eligibility
Applicants must have completed at least 3 hours of WDV gender and disability based violence prevention training.
Should your EoI be successful, you will be expected to attend:
- 3 project meetings
- Review 3 resources
- Draft a 1-page prevention action plan
To register your expression of interest
Complete our online form
Expressions of interest close on Thursday 5:00PM 12th of February 2026.
Further information or questions email gandd@wdv.org.au |
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Gender & Disability Experts by Experience Advocates Available for Consultation and Training in 2026
Women with Disabilities Victoria’s Gender & Disability Experts by Experience Advocates are a group of women and gender diverse people with diverse experiences of disability.
They are available for consultations to support the development of gender and disability inclusive policies, products, and services.
They also offer one-hour introductory training that covers aspects of gender equality, disability inclusion and prevention of violence against women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
Consultations:
Consultations take place monthly via Zoom, on Thursdays between 11am and 2pm. You will be supported throughout the process, enabling you to get the most from your consultation time.
Consultation fees:
1 consultation session (60-minute session) = $880
2 consultation sessions (120-minute session) = $1,660
Please note if booking 2 consultations, both consultations do not need to be conducted on the same day. Session length can be negotiated.
Training:
Our Introduction to Preventing Gender and Disability based Violence is based on research, evidence and the lived experience of women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
1-hour sessions can be held online or in person and content may be adjusted to meet your group’s training needs.
Training cost: $600
Please note: The cost may vary if there are requirements in addition to our standard sessions.
How to book:
Contact the Gender and Disability Workforce Development Team at gandd@wdv.org.au for further information or to book a session.
Generally, a minimum of 8-weeks' notice is required.
For further information:
Download training flyer: EBE training flyer 2024 (word version).docx
Download consultation flyer: EBE Consultations Flyer 2024 (word version).docx
Download consultation case study: G&D EBEA Case Study Prevent X 2022 (word version).docx
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Image description: A stylised icon against a transparent background. A part of the new WDV branding, this silhouette shows two people slightly overlapping, one a light shade of purple and one orange. The 'V' from the WDV logo is positioned on the right side of the orange person's sternum, like a heart. This icon represents Members, and is shown above the relevant updates for WDV Members. |
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Are You a WDV Member? WDV members get access to: - Our exclusive events, consultations and workshops
- Get involved in our programs
- Opportunities to network in the community
Members can also contribute to WDV by representing women and gender diverse people with disabilities on Boards, Committees and forums. These opportunities are circulated to members who have an interest in a particular field, and there is also an opportunity to contribute to government submissions and representations to government.
If you identify as a woman or gender diverse person with a disability or chronic health condition and you would like to get involved, it only takes a minute to apply for our free membership by clicking the button below:
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If you are not sure if you are a member or not and would like to find out, or have any questions about membership, please contact us via email at membership@wdv.org.au.
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2026 Hubs
Join us at on of our Local Leadership Hubs - the hubs are for women and gender diverse people with all kinds of disabilities. Hub members come together as a group to explore advocacy and leadership. Our hubs include: - Victorian Online Leadership Hub
- Barwon
- Bendigo
- Melbourne Outer East
keep an eye out in our e-news and social media for new dates coming up soon!
If you have any questions about our hubs, please contact: hubs@wdv.org.au |
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COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS |
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Important Disclaimer
With the rise of online scamming and fraudulent emails, it is becoming increasingly important to be wary of suspicious emails. We would like to remind you that WDV will not ask for financial donations via email.
In certain cases, scammers can send emails or text messages coming from a different email. For instance, a spam email which appears to be from Nadia asking for donations via email. Due to the fraudulent nature of scammers posing as someone else online, please note it is best to never give away any personal or financial information unless you have had a verbal conversation with one of our staff members.
If you receive these types of emails, please delete these from your inbox and do not click on any of the links.
If you have any questions, please contact wdv@wdv.org.au. |
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Are Your Contact Details Current?
If you have recently changed any of your contact details; address, phone number or email address, please let us know. Email wdv@wdv.org.au and we will update our records.
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Do You Have News, Comments, Questions or Feedback For Us? We love to hear from the WDV community. If you have something you think should be included in this newsletter, please contact WDV at wdv@wdv.org.au. |
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