A disabled perspective for International Women's Day 2025

Reflecting on the past year and how we might march forward together.

Welcome to Mostly Unlearning, a newsletter that amplifies accessibility, inclusion and disability voices towards more impactful commercial and human outcomes.

I love a good reflective moment. Looking back over social media posts from a year ago or newsletter editions can bring a sense of progress. Or, in some cases, a sense of what happened.

As I wrote last year on LinkedIn in, can I count on you?

I want white, not-yet-disabled, cisgender, heterosexual corporate women to stop worrying about the inattention of white, not-yet-disabled, cisgender, heterosexual corporate men and understand their privilege. The role they so desperately want these men to play is the role non-white, disabled, LQBTQI women/folk want them to play in support of true gender equality. Trickle-down diversity is not a thing; you have to choose to help us.

In today's edition, I’ll recap on my personal reflections on International Women's Day 2024 and share some thoughts 12 months later.

It’s International Women’s Day, but make it disabled.

I've unlearnt a lot when it comes to the intersection of gender and disability.

I want people to understand the realities of being a disabled woman and empower people to know their rights and manager/employer obligations. I want to acknowledge how exhausting, dehumanising and a waste of time it is to have to educate people over and over again to get access to what we are entitled to.

I want people to understand that as a successful, confident, disabled woman in the workforce, I operate from the expectation that my legal entitlements are met without onerous discussion or repeated disclosure. I want not-yet-disabled women to help other women and stop worrying about the inattention of men in power.

"You cannot re-centre people who have been living at the margins just by inviting them in. They won’t fit. You need to change the structures and systems so that they belong at the centre when they first arrive." - Logan Gin

For the avoidance of doubt by women, I mean people who identify as women, as well as femme-identifying non-binary folk. I wrote about trans as natural human variation in a previous edition, and I want to reiterate

• Trans rights do not impinge on mine.
• Trans oppression impinges on my rights as a ciswoman and a person with medical needs.
• Targeting trans people, young and old, is a gateway to the oppression of other minorities.

What International Women's Day means to me, as a disabled woman.

I acquired a disability at 27; before this, I had been leading global sourcing programs, even a stint in Napa Valley, California. At this point in my career, I was used to comments about my age, gender, and even nationality. But it wasn't until I acquired a disability that I felt the crushing frustration of being marginalised.

Suddenly, people around me were making choices for me. I wasn't even a part of the conversation. Suddenly, my ability was called into question and career opportunities weren't offered. But why? I remember thinking, “Don’t they understand that my back and leg are impacted? My mind is the same as before.”

Additionally, now I encountered comments about dressing without heels and had my first experience of violence in the workplace. It would take another 9 or 10 years before I found my voice on such issues.

My first speaking event was on an International Women's Day panel at nbn? Australia. It was a launching pad for my career as a lived expertise professional.

All this is to say, on International Women's Day, I still find myself retreating from celebrations and discussions led by white, not-yet-disabled, cisgender, heterosexual women (and men). Their commentary doesn't resonate with me because the part of myself that needs the most help is at the intersection of gender and disability.

In 2024 I asked if I could count on you. In 2025, let’s March Forward Together.

We are stronger together. In 2025, as all flavours of sexism, ableism, racism and more are given social licence, let’s consider how we can march forward together - for a more inclusive future.

I still want white, not-yet-disabled, cisgender, heterosexual corporate women to stop worrying about the inattention of white, not-yet-disabled, cisgender, heterosexual corporate men and understand their privilege. The role they so desperately want these men to play is the role non-white, disabled, LGBTQIA+ women/folk want them to play in support of true gender equality. Trickle-down diversity is not a thing; you have to choose to help us.

Unlearning Prompts

How have you, do you, or could you make space for disabled women in your workplace? These prompts encourage readers to critically examine assumptions, privileges, and actions while also motivating tangible steps towards positive change and inclusion.

1. Intersectional Advocacy: Explore ways to advocate for intersectional gender equality, including the voices and experiences of disabled women. How can you amplify their voices and support their inclusion in discussions and decision-making processes?
2. Redirect Your Attention by Reconsidering Privilege: Take a moment to consider your own privilege, especially if you identify as a non-disabled woman or man. How might your privilege impact your perspective on issues faced by disabled women?
3. Challenge Assumptions: Reflect on your assumptions about disabled women in the workforce. How might these assumptions limit their opportunities for advancement and inclusion?
4. Recognize Structural Barriers: Reflect on the structural barriers that contribute to pay gaps and the invisibility of disability in data sets. How can we work to dismantle these barriers and create more equitable opportunities for all?
5. Commit to Action: Consider one concrete action you can take to support disabled women in your workplace or community. How can you contribute to creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all individuals, regardless of gender or ability?

Join the unlearning.

You can subscribe to learn with me. I'll share what I learn (and unlearn) about accessibility, inclusion and disability. Together, we will consider the implications for impactful commercial and human outcomes.