Heidemarie Egger

The first independent advocacy group for women* with disabilities in Austria The association FmB – Advocacy for Women with Disabilities works to promote the rights of women with disabilities in order to enable an equal, safe, and self-determined life. FmB was founded on March 8, 2023, in Vienna and is the only independent advocacy group for women with disabilities in Austria. The founders and current board members of the association are Heidemarie Egger (Chairwoman), Julia Moser (Vice-Chair), and Eva-Maria Fink (Treasurer). The motivation behind the foundation of the association comes from their own experiences as women with disabilities and their expertise in inclusion, participation, accessibility, feminism, and the topic of women with disabilities. FmB operates in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Currently, over 70 individuals are members of FmB. A central goal of the association is independent advocacy, aiming to make the voices and concerns of women with disabilities visible and heard on both national and international levels. FmB is committed to establishing an intersectional, inclusive, and anti-ableist feminism that recognizes and values the diverse experiences and identities of all women. Another important goal is raising awareness of the lived realities of women with disabilities. Through public relations work, the association aims to reduce stereotypes and discrimination while fostering a deeper understanding of the situation of women with disabilities. Building a network and exchanging experiences are also central to FmB’s work, as they strengthen solidarity and allow members to learn from and support each other. The association supports women* with disabilities in workshops to help them build a community. National and international networking is also a key element for this purpose. In total, FmB advocates for a society where all women* with disabilities can fully exercise their rights, and where diversity and inclusion are lived realities.