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Illustration of diverse disabled people dressed in fashionable floral clothes next to the WEI logo.
Dear Community,
My first six months as Executive Director of Women Enabled International have been incredible. I am so grateful to our global community for warmly welcoming me and being so generous in sharing your time and expertise to help me acclimate to my new role.
One thing I was happy to learn, as I shifted from advocating for gender and disability rights on a national and regional level to the international level, is that this movement exists in our disabled voices and truly feels like a community. Our greatest challenge is to bridge connections across diverse genders, disabilities, cultures, and contexts to keep pushing for disabled leadership–but given the opportunity, we always show up for each other.
These last few months, we’ve been able to be together in person again–jointly advocating with our partners before UN human rights experts in Geneva, sponsoring and speaking at events as part of the annual Commission on the Status of Women conference in New York, and convening the WEI Board for its first-ever in-person retreat. While COVID taught us not only how to keep our work going through virtual-only meeting spaces–and in many ways improved accessibility for feminists with disabilities around the world–these recent meetings affirmed for me the distinct power of face-to-face connections.
It’s such an exciting time for WEI as we are in the middle of formulating a new 5-year strategic plan, and I am looking forward to all of the ways we will be working closely with our colleagues and allies to continue advancing rights at the intersection of gender and disability. Together we will build on our past progress and chart a path to a future marked by disabled feminist leadership, cross-movement solidarity, and organizational sustainability.
Gracias,
Maryangel Garcia-Ramos Guadiana
Executive Director
Read some of the stories featured in our newsletter:
Against a purple and yellow background is a cutout photo of Judy Heumann speaking in a pink suit at a microphone behind a nameplate. Above, text reads, “WEI Staff Remembers Judy Heumann”
We at Women Enabled International are mourning the loss of Judith “Judy” Heumann, the Mother of the disability rights movement, who passed away March 4, 2023. Her unwavering commitment to advancing human rights was immeasurable, and her passing has left a deep impact on all of us, both personally and professionally. It is an honor to celebrate her life and legacy this International Women’s Day.
“Judy was a trailblazer who made it possible for us to do the work we do at Women Enabled today,” said Anastasia Holoboff, Senior Legal Advisor at WEI. “Her advocacy, leadership, and pioneering intersectional approach to disability rights are guideposts for all of us in a field where the wins are infrequent and the obstacles at times feel insurmountable.”
Judy’s legacy in the global disability and gender justice movements is unparalled. From the 504 sit-ins in San Francisco to her work at the State Department and her role in influencing disability rights policy around the globe, her fierce determination and indomitable spirit changed the course of history and paved the way for so many of us.
While Judy’s impact was global, she built it in a profoundly personal manner. Despite her prestigious and iconic status, she valued the individual stories and personal connections she made with everyone she met.
“Judy was the Mother of the disability rights movement, but she knew the power of collective leadership. It wasn’t all about her. That’s what set her leadership apart. She valued getting to know people on a personal level.” Dr. Janie Mejias, Coordinator for the US Alliance, stated. “Even though we’re all working towards the same goal in the movement, we all have our own individual stories. And Judy took the time to get to know those stories and get to know the people.”
Today, we want to honor Judy’s legacy by sharing quotes and stories directly from WEI staff about how Judy impacted their lives and our movement. We hope that by highlighting these personal stories, we can celebrate and honor a few of the personal connections that Judy made throughout her life and the stories she leaves behind.
“I first met Judy in 2010 at the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD. She was a giant, for the US and global disability rights movements. But what struck me most about her was how accessible, down to earth, and engaged she was in the work of persons with disabilities around the world.” – Amanda McRae, Director of UN Advocacy
“Despite her stature in the movement and busy schedule, Judy always took the time to mentor and support young advocates, which just speaks to her incredible generosity of spirit and style of leadership. Her reaching out to me directly to congratulate me on the publication of the WEI-UNFPA Guidelines, will always be one of the highlights of my career. Her physical presence in our movement will be deeply felt and missed going forward, but we will always be guided by the lessons she shared and her legacy.” – Anastasia Holoboff, Senior Legal Advisor
“Judy was known for her tenacious, wont-back-down advocacy in the face of adversity. But I think what made her ‘the mother of the movement’ was her ability to connect on a personal level. Whether it was to sway a government official or ask each activist to keep fighting, even for just one more day. That’s how she built the movement, by individual invitation.” – Brittany Evans, Communications Manager
One staff member shared, “her unwavering commitment to intersectionality showed us that we can’t fight for justice in silos.” Another said, “Judy was the spark whose conviction ignited an entire generation. She challenged ableism so that others could believe in themselves and come together to demand a better future.”
At WEI, we’re still grappling with this profound loss. Judy’s presence in our community felt as immortal as her impact. Just weeks ago, Judy reached out to our new executive director, Maryangel García-Ramos.
“Judy opened portals to power for women like me. Her kind words to me directly, as a fellow disabled feminist leader, were a profound moment of solidarity and mentorship. It’s a testament to her commitment to nurturing disabled leadership. She was not only a leader of a generation and a role model to the next but a beacon of hope for generations to come.”
We are honored to have had the opportunity to know and learn from Judy. As we mourn the loss of such a titan of the disability rights movement, we are called to action, to continue her work, to honor her memory, and to create a world that is more just, equitable, humane, and inclusive for all of us in all our diversity.
Rest in power, Judy.
We hope you find as much joy in this video of the Heumann Perspective featuring our founder, Stephanie Ortoleva, talking about WEI as we do!
Are you attending the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) from March 6-17, 2023?
If so, come say “hi” to WEI!
Women Enabled International (WEI) will host and participate in various events, meetings, and social media campaigns during CSW67. In line with the theme of this year’s gathering, our engagement will highlight the link between technology and innovation and the disability-related accessibility of key decision-making spaces.
One of the events we’re most excited about is our own – “Feminist Accessibility Protocol – Committing to Disability-accessible and Inclusive Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality and Human Rights”
The in-person event will introduce the Feminist Accessibility Protocol and bring together voices from States, UN agencies, feminist civil society, and disabled feminists to highlight good practices utilizing technology and innovation to ensure an accessible, inclusive, valuable, and safe space for feminists with disabilities. CART closed captioning in English, American Sign Language interpretation, and English-Spanish interpretation will be provided.
When: Thursday, March 9, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm EST Where: Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, 320 East 43rd Street.
To register for this event, visit this link: www.bit.ly/CSWProtocol
Please note: registration will close 48 hours before the event.
In addition to our event, the creators of the Feminist Accessibility Protocol, The Inclusive Generation Equality Collective, will be launching two campaigns during the event, and we’d love for you to get involved!
The first campaign, #CommitToAccess, will encourage prominent feminists to commit to ensuring the accessibility and inclusion of feminists with disabilities in feminist spaces by signing the Feminist Accessibility Protocol.
The second campaign, #AccessInPractice, aims to see the Protocol in action by highlighting good practices and identifying accessibility barriers for the participation and leadership of feminists with disabilities at CSW67. Accessibility is a gender equality issue. It’s up to all of us to ensure that all feminists can participate fully and equally.
So, whether you’re attending #CSW67 in person or not, we’d love for you to join us! Encourage your network to #CommitToAccess and share your own experiences using #AccessInPractice.
Make sure to check out these other in-person events featuring the WEI team:
Advancing Feminist Movements and Leadership: Bringing Generation Equality to the Local Level
When: Tuesday, 7th March, 4:00pm to 5:00 pm EST
Where: Riverview Room, Millennium Hilton New York, One UN Plaza, 28th Floor
Organized by: United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Gender Equality, Disability and the Digital World
When: Wednesday, 8th March, 12:30pm to 2:00pm EST
Where: Lower Level, Salvation Army International Justice Commission, 221 East 52nd Street,
Organized by: Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA)
Feminists say “Enough!” Countering Anti-gender Forces and Fostering Collective Resilience
When: Friday, 17th March, 6:15pm to 7:30pm
Where: Church Center of the United Nations, 777 United Nations Plaza
Organized by: CREA
Join us virtually at these events:
Women with Disabilities, Access to Technology and Equality
When: Friday, 10th March, 8:00am to 10:00am EST
Virtual: Register with this [LINK]
Organized by: Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre
Women with Disabilities Crossing the Digital Divide
When: Wednesday, 15th March, 11:00am to 12:30pm EST
Virtual: Register with this [LINK]
Organized by: International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women
Women Enabled International (WEI) extends our solidarity to the people of Turkey and Syria in the face of the devastating earthquakes that have impacted both countries. WEI expresses particular concern for the situation of women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities in the aftermath of this natural disaster, particularly those who were already experiencing a heightened risk of human rights violations under armed conflict and displacement, as this emergency poses new threats to their rights, safety, and wellbeing.
Within this context, States must promote and protect the rights of women, girls, and gender minorities with disabilities during humanitarian emergencies like this. Under article 11 of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), State Parties have a specific obligation to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters. Article 6 of the CRPD affirms that States must take specific steps to ensure the rights and safety of women and girls with disabilities.
With these obligations in mind, we call on governments and other stakeholders providing essential assistance in Syria and Turkey to make sure that women and gender-diverse people with disabilities are included in response efforts. This includes:
Ensuring the prompt, accessible, and safe evacuation and/or relocation of women, girls, and gender-diverse persons with disabilities from regions most severely impacted by the earthquake.
Ensuring that women, girls, and gender-diverse persons with disabilities are provided direct access to food, water, medical supplies, healthcare, accessible transportation, safe and accessible shelters, and other measures to reduce the impact of the emergency on their lives without discrimination based on their gender, disability and other statuses.
Preventing and redressing sexual and gender-based violence against women, girls, and gender minorities with disabilities, including by evacuating them, making humanitarian assistance directly available to them, and ensuring that evacuation shelters are fully accessible and do not expose them to heightened risks of gender-based violence.
Providing information about humanitarian assistance and about the response to gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health during and in the aftermath of the emergency in accessible formats, such as sign language, braille, Easy Read, and plain language, and make such information available in places where women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities can access it.
Adopting a twin-track approach to respond to the needs of women, girls, and gender minorities with disabilities in all disaster response and recovery efforts, policies, and programming. Involve women with disabilities and their representative organizations in the design, implementation, and monitoring of such efforts, policies, and programs.
Further resources on gender, disability, and humanitarian emergencies :
I am excited and honored to bring you the latest — and my first, as new ED — round-up of WEI news and stories and to kick off the new year together with you!
In this edition, you’ll read about the powerful partnerships, joint advocacy activities, inclusive organizing, and essential capacity strengthening efforts that have exemplified WEI’s work these past months and that we feel so very proud of.
We just celebrated 10 years of powerful work for gender and disability rights, and now we are embarking on a crucial moment for our organization, as we begin turning the page, looking ahead, and envisioning the next decade for us, our movement and our community.
We have grown and evolved tremendously in the past few years, and 2023 will be a year of continued transformation. I am happy to announce we will begin a new strategic planning process aimed at building on our expertise, strengthening our resilience, and most importantly, uplifting the voices and experiences of disabled women, girls and other gender diversities with disabilities around the world so we can advance our rights and justice. We will continue to work passionately to promulgate accessible intersectional feminist values for our global communities.
I am grateful for your support and energized by this amazing opportunity to lead WEI into the future.
The Protocol is a groundbreaking set of 13 accessibility-related commitments to ensure that women, girls, trans, intersex, and nonbinary persons with disabilities are meaningfully included in gender equality events and meetings.
The Protocol asks States, feminist civil society, United Nations entities, and other feminist actors to make a pledge to ensure that, moving forward, gender equality discussions and decision-making spaces are fully accessible to and inclusive of feminists with disabilities. Each of the 13 commitments in the Protocol is a call for action on a specific aspect of accessibility and inclusivity in feminist events and meetings, including event planning, execution, and follow-up.
The Protocol also includes an Annex with good practices on accessibility and the outcomes of focus groups on accessibility in gender equality spaces, conducted with 109 women and gender-diverse persons with disabilities from 37 countries to inform the Protocol.
Access the Feminist Accessibility Protocol in various formats:
The Protocol is available in various accessible formats.
To access the English version of the Protocol, click here.
To access the Easy Read version of the Protocol (in English), click here.
To access the International Sign version of the Protocol, click here.
To access the Spanish version of the Protocol, click here.
Sign on to the Feminist Accessibility Protocol
If you are a feminist organization, State, UN entity, or other actor organizing meetings or events on gender equality, we invite you to sign on to the Protocol and join our efforts to create accessible gender equality spaces.
Who created the Feminist Accessibility Protocol and why?
The Protocol is an initiative of the Inclusive Generation Equality Collective (IGEC), a group of activists with disabilities and allies from around the world that advocates for the inclusion of feminists with disabilities and a disability perspective in gender equality spaces and decisions. The IGEC was formed in January 2021 to engage in the Generation Equality process and other efforts to advance gender equality.
The Protocol was created as a response to accessibility barriers in gender equality spaces that hindered the participation of feminists with disabilities, in particular, the Generation Equality Forums. The IGEC developed the Protocol to raise awareness about the importance of ensuring accessibility, gather commitments towards accessibility in gender equality spaces, and encourage action from States, feminist organizations, UN entities, and other actors to make those spaces fully accessible to, inclusive of women, girls, trans, intersex, and nonbinary persons with disabilities.
What else has the Inclusive Generation Equality Collective done?
In addition to developing the Feminist Accessibility Protocol, the IGEC actively engaged with the Generation Equality Forums, convened by UN Women and held virtually in Mexico City and Paris in 2021. Prior to the Forums, the Collective developed an Advocacy Platform, endorsed by over 280 organizations and individuals, to call for a Generation Equality process that included a disability and gender intersectional perspective.
During the Forums, the IGEC members faced various accessibility barriers that limited their participation and requested action from the organizers. Through blog posts and open letters to UN Women and the government of France after both events, they called attention to the inaccessibility of the forums and advocated for a commitment to accessibility, which inspired the development of the Protocol.
Who can join the Inclusive Generation Equality Collective?
If you are a woman, girl, trans, intersex, or nonbinary person with disabilities, or an ally in the disability rights and feminist movements, you are welcome to our Collective! Click here to send us a message to join the IGEC work.
El Colectivo Inclusivo Generación Igualdad se enorgullece en presentar el Protocolo Feminista de Accesibilidad, un conjunto de compromisos innovadores que buscan garantizar la inclusión significativa de feministas con discapacidad en los espacios de igualdad de género. Obtén más información sobre el Protocolo y fírmalo a continuación.
Las mujeres con discapacidad representamos casi una de cada cinco mujeres en todo el mundo. En este contexto, somos partes esenciales del movimiento hacia la igualdad de género. Con demasiada frecuencia, sin embargo, las mujeres, las niñas, las personas trans, intersexuales y no binarias con discapacidad somos excluidas de los espacios clave en los que se toman decisiones importantes sobre la igualdad de género y los derechos relacionados con el género. Una y otra vez, las mujeres, las niñas, las personas trans, intersexuales y no binarias con discapacidad hemos observado que estos espacios no tienen en cuenta nuestros requisitos de accesibilidad y no reconocen las perspectivas importantes que traemos a estos debates.
El año pasado, volvimos a experimentar esta exclusión en un espacio clave para la igualdad de género a nivel mundial: los Foros Generación Igualdad, en los que muchas personas feministas con discapacidad ni siquiera pudieron acceder a las discusiones esenciales, y mucho menos contribuir sustancialmente a los importantes resultados del Foro. Tras esta experiencia, el Colectivo Inclusivo Generación Igualdad, un grupo de feministas con discapacidad, personas aliadas y organizaciones que abogan por los derechos y la justicia de género y discapacidad, decidió que ya era suficiente. Ya no nos conformaríamos con espacios de igualdad de género que no fueran totalmente accesibles e incluyeran a feministas con discapacidad.
El Protocolo Feminista de Accesibilidad es un resultado directo de estas experiencias y frustraciones. El Protocolo pide a los Estados, las entidades feministas de la sociedad civil, agencias de las Naciones Unidas y otros actores feministas que se comprometan a garantizar que, en el futuro, las discusiones sobre igualdad de género y los espacios de toma de decisiones sean plenamente accesibles e inclusivos para las mujeres, las niñas, las personas trans, intersexuales y no binarias con discapacidad. Cada uno de los 13 compromisos del Protocolo es un llamado a la acción sobre un aspecto específico de la accesibilidad y la inclusión en eventos y reuniones feministas, entre ellos la planificación, la ejecución y el seguimiento de los eventos.
La accesibilidad es un derecho humano, no un complemento opcional. Al comprometerse con las medidas de accesibilidad e inclusión descritas en el Protocolo, los Estados, la sociedad civil feminista, las agencias de las Naciones Unidas y otros actores feministas nos ayudarán a avanzar hacia un mundo donde la lucha por la igualdad de género incluya plenamente a las mujeres, las niñas, las personas trans, intersexuales y no binarias en toda nuestra diversidad.
¿Contamos contigo?
Accede a un video sobre el Protocolo con interpretación al sistema de señas internacional aquí:
Obtén más información sobre el Protocolo en diversos formatos aquí.
Firma el Protocolo en el formulario a continuación.
Contamos contigo para construir, colectivamente, un movimiento feminista verdaderamente inclusivo.
Women Enabled International’s Board of Directors couldn’t be more excited to announce that Maryangel Garcia-Ramos Guadiana [LINK] has joined Women Enabled International as our next Executive Director.
“The Board is thrilled to welcome Maryangel to the WEI family. We are so excited about her knowledge, skills, and perspective—a unique combination that will ensure both stability and innovation as Maryangel leads WEI into its second decade.” – Catherine Hyde Townsend, WEI Board President
A passionate changemaker, Maryangel has dedicated her career to shifting the narrative and culture of inclusion. As WEI’s Executive Director, Maryangel brings more than 15 years of diverse and deep expertise as a human rights advocate, leader, visionary for inclusion, and all-around badass. Maryangel joins WEI after leading the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Center for the Recognition of Human Dignity at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where she has been instrumental in developing strategies to strengthen community representation and promote equality for historically discriminated groups in one of México’s largest private universities.
As a strategic communicator and a wheelchair user with lived experience at the intersection of gender and disability herself, Maryangel recognizes just how vital it is to lift up the voices—and diversity of lived experiences—of women, girls, and gender minorities with disabilities. This commitment led Maryangel, a native of México, to found Mexicanas con Discapacidad, a national network of women with disabilities. Additionally, she was recently named the President of the Council for Persons with Disabilities for the State of Nuevo León, México, a five-year, voluntary post where she will play a lead role in advancing the development of a State Plan for Disability Inclusion.
“Women, girls, and non-binary people with disabilities need to keep on being part of the human rights and gender equality conversations and platforms, more than ever. I am humbled and ready to continue the powerful work WEI has done over the past 10 years to advance our rights. I look forward to this new powerful moment in the world where we push a new generation of disabled feminist leadership.” – Maryangel Garcia-Ramos Guadiana, WEI Executive Director
Maryangel took the reins of Women Enabled International on October 3, 2022, following a year of interim leadership by Suzannah Phillips, WEI’s Director of Strategy. WEI’s pioneering founder, Stephanie Ortoleva, retired from the organization on September 30, 2021.
We hope you will join us at our 10th Anniversary celebration on October 20th [LINK], where Maryangel will have a chance to introduce herself and share more about her vision as she leads WEI into our second decade.
As we look back on 2021, we are truly proud of WEI’s many achievements that strengthened recognition of the rights of women and gender minorities with disabilities, fostered inclusive movement building, and bolstered capacity to better meet the needs of our community.
Your steadfast support makes our work possible. We thank you and hope you will continue to advocate alongside us to champion equality and justice for all.
Click to read our 2021 Annual Report and learn how Women Enabled International met the moment during a time of change and anticipation of new beginnings.
ID: Text reads, “2021 Annual Report” above a photo of seven diverse women and young people smiling and laughing as they form a line and hug. Below is the Women Enabled International logo.
ID: purple banner with the Women Enabled International logo and yellow and white text reading, “WEI’s with Anniversary Celebration. You’re Invited. October 20 at 11am ET.”
It’s Time to Celebrate!
You’re invited to WEI’s 10th Anniversary Virtual Celebration on October 20th at 11 am ET.
Please join us for a community celebration of WEI’s 10-year milestone! During the event, you will hear from leaders across our movement while we honor the legacy of our pioneering founder, Stephanie Ortoleva.
Together we’ve achieved remarkable progress over the past decade. You are an important part of our story and future. We hope you will join us in celebrating this occasion on October 20th!
Event Information:
When: October 20, 2022, at 11 am Eastern Time Where: Join the celebration via Zoom. Register for the virtual event here:www.bit.ly/CelebrateWEI
This is a community celebration! CART captioning and international sign-language interpretation will be available. If you require other accommodations to celebrate with us, please don’t hesitate to contact WEI’s event coordinator, Luci Prosapio, directly via email at l.prosapio@womenenabled.org.
By registering, you will receive our celebration playlist as a thanks for being our guest. All registrants will also be entered into a raffle for a disability justice book bundle. The winner must be present in Zoom to win, so register today at www.bit.ly/CelebrateWEI!
“Judy was known for her tenacious, wont-back-down advocacy in the face of adversity. But I think what made her ‘the mother of the movement’ was her ability to connect on a personal level. Whether it was to sway a government official or ask each activist to keep fighting, even for just one more day. That’s how she built the movement, by individual invitation.” – Brittany Evans, Communications Manager
One of the events we’re most excited about is our own – “Feminist Accessibility Protocol – Committing to Disability-accessible and Inclusive Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality and Human Rights”
