Victorian Women With Disabilities Network
A world where all women are respected and can fully experience life
Home >> Parenting
Supporting women with disabilities in
their parenting roles and reproductive rights
Why is parenting a top priority?
Parenting advocacy
Links - parenting and reproductive rights
Stories from women with disabilities on parenting
Why is parenting a top priority of the VWDN AIS?
Supporting women with disabilities in their parenting roles and reproductive rights is the second priority for the VWDN AIS. Much research has been done into the needs of parents of children with disabilities but there is far less information regarding the needs of parents with disabilities. This reflects prevailing community attitudes towards women with disabilities who are frequently perceived as asexual, dependent and essentially “unfit” mothers.
Whether the issues relate to sterilisation, abortion, pregnancy or parenting, it is evident that women with disabilities are treated differently to women without disabilities, and have been subjected to discrimination, invasive medical procedures and denial of basic human rights and bodily integrity on the basis of their disability.
A framework is currently being drafted for the VWDN AIS to support advocacy that addresses the parenting and reproductive rights of women with disabilities.
Links - parenting and reproductive rights
Find links to organisations addressing the parenting and reproductive rights of women with disabilities here.
Persistence, and a Sense of Humour – You’ll need it
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