Pre-Conference 2025

Preliminary Programme

Key Presenters

Lizzie Kamukwamba (Zambia)

Consequences for deaf women when they do not receive education or information in sign language

Lizzie Kamukwamba talks about how the lack of access to information, education and community resources affects deaf women in Zambia. When sign language is not available in schools, healthcare and society, this has serious consequences: poorer health, limited opportunities for education and work, and an increased risk of violence and social exclusion.

She also highlights how poverty, low digital literacy and a lack of interpreters reinforce exclusion. At the same time, Lizzie shows solutions – how deaf women can be empowered through education, leadership, community and political advocacy.

Theme: Access to information, education and independence – deaf women's rights in practice

Priti Soni (India)

How a national association can work to empower deaf women through education, leadership and financial independence

Priti Soni, founder of the Deaf Can Foundation (DCF) in India, talks about how deaf women can become strong leaders and agents of change when they receive the right support. She has travelled all over India to meet deaf women in vulnerable areas, and through education, workshops and concrete projects, she has strengthened the self-confidence and opportunities of hundreds of women.

DCF is run almost entirely by deaf women and works practically to spread knowledge about rights, improve access to education, create job opportunities and change attitudes in society. Priti shares her work with her own educational materials, support for self-sufficiency, legal advocacy and media initiatives – all to create an inclusive future.

Theme: Empowerment and collaboration – how deaf women are building change from the bottom up

Other Presenters/Moderators

Empower to Impact: Strengthening the Voice and Agency of Deaf Adolescents

Co-host: Fedwen (Kenya)

Speaker: Josephine Odera Aska - The critical role of Deaf Women led organisations in strengthening capacity and voice of Deaf adolescents and young people.

Support measures for deaf women and children in vulnerable situations – experiences from practical work

Co-host: NKJT (Sweden)

Mia Modig, executive director for the National Women's Shelter and Sign Language Support (NKJT), presents the organisation's work to support deaf and hard-hearing women in vulnerable situations.

WFD

The WFD will introduce an international approach and present the WFD policy on women's rights and gender equality, focusing on SDG #5.

UN Women (TBC)

Their expertise and work on women's rights will add value to the content of the pre-conference. They have been working with Fedwen for many years and support the Conference. The Organising Committee will arrange an interpretation.

Ekitabu

Scaling Inclusive Early Learning with Deaf Children project, implemented by a consortium of eKitabu, Open Development & Education (OpenDevEd), Busara and Kentalis International Foundation in Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda.

DAY 1 - 10th August 2025

Time Duration Activity
8.30 - 10.00 90 min Registration
10.00 - 10.45 45 min Opening Ceremony
WFD, UN Women (TBC), Government Representative (TBC), Sweden Embassy (Marie Ottosson, Head of Cooperation), Ekitabu
10.50 - 11.30 40 min Keynote Presentation
Consequences for deaf women when they do not receive education or information in sign language
Lizzie Kamukwamba (Zambia)
11:45 - 12:30 45 min Presentation/Working Group/Activities
12.30 - 14.00 90 min Lunch
14.00 - 14:40 40 min WFD Presentation
14:45 - 15:05 20 min Ekitabu
Scaling Inclusive Early Learning with Deaf Children project
15.10 - 15:30 20 min Deaf Researchers & Discussion
15.30 - 16.00 30 min Break
16.00 - 17:00 60 min Panel Discussion
Challenges faced by deaf women in leadership and ways to strengthen their leadership in organisations
17:00 - 18:30 90 min Art Session on Self-Expression
A mental health session focused on self-expression and personal reflection through art, facilitated by Pamela Yvonne, psychologist

DAY 2 - 11th August 2025

Time Duration Activity
9.00 - 9:40 40 min Keynote Presentation
How a national association can work to empower deaf women through education, leadership and financial independence
Priti Soni (India)
9:45 - 10:30 45 min Presentation/Working Group/Activities
10.30 - 11.00 30 min Break
11:00 - 11:30 30 min Presentation
Empower to Impact: Strengthening the Voice and Agency of Deaf Adolescents
Fedwen
11:30 - 12:00 30 min Presentation
Support measures for deaf women and children in vulnerable situations – experiences from practical work
NKJT
12:00 - 12:30 30 min Presentation/Working Group/Activities
12.30 - 14.00 90 min Lunch
14.00 - 15:00 60 min Deaf Researchers & Discussion
15:00 - 15:30 30 min Conclusion & Closing Ceremony
WFD, Africa Women Development
17:00 - 19:00 120 min Sweden Embassy - Reception