Equality Rights Alliance

29 November

The Office for Women has announced the selection process for non-government representatives wishing to be included on the official government delegation to the 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW58). Selection of the NGO Delegates will be via an open selection round.

The Equality Rights Alliances encourages ERA members to apply. Young women, women with disabilities and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women are especially encouraged to apply. Please contact the secretariat if you would like more information on CSW58. 

The attached application pack includes the selection criteria. Applicants will also be required to submit a copy of their resume and a brief biography along with their statement of claims. The application pack and information for applicants will be available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet's website shortly. 

Applications close at 11:59 AEDT Sunday 8 December and no late submissions will be accepted. 

28 November

Nominations for the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women's SWECO Award (Sustaining Women's Empowerment in Communities and Organisations) close tomorrow (29/11) 5pm. 

If you know a leading women, or you are a leading woman make sure you nominate before tomorrow C.O.B. Information on nominating is available here.

27 November

The ACT Women’s Awards honour individual women who have demonstrated courage and/ or have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of women and girls in the ACT.

If you know an outstanding woman or girl who has made a significant contribution to the community, consider nominating her for an award. There are three categories: ACT Woman of the Year; ACT Senior Woman of the Year; and ACT Young Woman of the Year.

The 2014 ACT Awards will be announced by the Minister for Women during International Women’s Day celebrations in March 2014.

Nomination forms are available on www.women.act.gov.au

25 November 2013

Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Women, addresses the National Women's Alliances for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. 

21 November

Particpants are currently being sought to participate in research into sexual esteem and perceptions of pregnancy and motherhood in disabled and able-bodied women. 

The study calls for women between the ages of 18-39 who are interested in possibly having children in the future to particpate. Participants will respond to a demographics questionnaire and complete three brief measures, which should take between 10-15 minutes. Upon completion of the study, you may enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card. 

To take part in the study click here. You can get in touch with Erin Schrader, the researcher here Eschrader@twu.edu. 

21 November

Earlier this week a Productivity Commission into childcare and early childhood learning was announced.  The Productivity Commission will focus on developing a system that supports workforce participation and addresses children's learning and development needs.

19 November

Today the COAG Reform Council has released the Tracking Equity: Comparing outcomes for women and girls across Australia report. Tracking Equity is the first report to track the gendered outcomes of Government policies and inititatives. This report puts us in a better position to develop policies with a gender lens to ensure women aren't disproportionately impacted.

ERA has long advocated for policies to improve housing outcomes for women. The key findings on women and housing from Tracking Equity are:

• Indigenous women are more likely to be homeless than Indigenous men;
• more women than men are using homelessness services;
• and domestic violence is the most cited reason for using homelessness services.

You can read the full report here. 

1 November 

If you are a woman with a disability, or an individual or organisation who who supports our aims and objectives, you can now become a member of WWDA for free. If you would like to join, please complete the membership form available on WWDA's website and return to WWDA via email or post. Memberships can also be organised over the phone. Contact WWDA on (03) 6244 8388.

Although memberships are free, WWDA does accept donations via direct deposit, credit card and/money order. WWDA's preferred method of payment of any donations is via direct debit. Details are provided on the membership form. 

25 October

Today the Stop the Violence Project National Symposium - violence prevention and response from women and girls with disability will be opened by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash. 

The STVP notes that in Australia, women and girls with disability experience high levels of domestic and family violence and sexual assault and have high unmet needs in terms of access to domestic violence, sexual assault and related community services. The need for targeted measures to address violence against women and girls with disability, in order for them to participate as full and equal citizens in Australian society, has been identified as a priority at both domestic and international levels.

For more information on this initiative, visit the website.