When the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) comes into being in 2024, it will be responsible for the aspirations and life chances of over one million women and girls. The 7 North East local authorities (County Durham, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberland, and Newcastle) will join to have responsibility for key areas of policy including: economic development; adult education and skills; transport; housing and regeneration.
We know that Disabled women are severely underrepresented in decision-making. We also know that Disabled women’s needs are often misunderstood in women’s organisations but are also underrepresented in disabled-led organisations too!
The One Million Women and Girls Campaign wants a future North East to maximise the potential of Women and Girls in the region. Difference NE want a Disability Devolution for the North East where Disabled people are included in decision-making and disability justice is prioritised. We are working together to make sure that Disabled women have voice and influence over what matters to them.
We advocate taking an intersectional approach to maximising the potential of all Disabled women and girls which means listening to the lived experience of any marginalised group, including; lesbians, bisexual and trans women; migrant women; older and younger women; pregnant women; racially marginalised women; and working class women. This campaign is trans-inclusive.