Thank you!

It seems unbelievable but ZafigoX 2025 is now over! All those months of hard work and anticipation and it feels like the weekend went by in a blink of the eye.

But was it worth it? Absolutely!

It was worth it seeing all the excited faces of women coming to ZafigoX again after having tasted its wonders last year. It was even more exciting to meet first-timers who didn’t know what to expect but then had their anxieties assuaged from the initial sessions.

And it was, as always, wonderful to meet our entire lineup who had come from London, Melbourne, Dhaka, Colombo, Tokyo, Singapore as well as across Malaysia, and seeing them equally enthusiastic about participating this year, even though some of them had not heard about ZafigoX before. What stories and insights they had! We are so grateful that they said yes.

Finally, ZafigoX is about our readers and followers who came, learnt new things and made new friends. We created a platform to showcase women that we hope will inspire you, and we provided a safe space for you to feel free to express yourself. We have loved meeting you, talking to you and seeing how you were enjoying yourselves. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Until next time!

Love, Marina

ZafigoX 2025: Ready to Accelerate?

ZafigoX 2025 was all about momentum, movement, and stepping into our next chapters with intention.

On 11 & 12 October, this women-driven festival featured two days of talks, soul-stirring performances, and hands-on workshops—each designed to inspire action, fuel creativity, and spark real conversation.

Whether you were looking to break boundaries, chase new dreams, reclaim space, or just ready to feel fired up again, we’re happy to have had you with us.

Relive the memories through photos here.

Who Was There

  • Ain Husniza SAIFUL NIZAM

    Speaker

    At 17, Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam launched the #MakeSchoolASaferPlace movement against rape culture in schools, which reached over 21 million people. Now, at 21, she is the executive director of Pocket of Pink and Altorithm.

    MORE ABOUT AIN

  • Elaha SOROOR

    Speaker

    Overcoming displacement, Elaha Soroor found her voice in storytelling and advocacy through music. Her work and achievements challenge oppression, celebrate Afghanistan’s heritage, and inspire women to reclaim their voices.

    MORE ABOUT ELAHA

  • Sadaf SAAZ

    Speaker

    Sadaf Saaz is a Dhaka-based entrepreneur, poet, writer, cultural curator, and women’s rights advocate. She is the director and producer of Dhaka Lit Fest, leads biotech company EskeGen, and runs Jatrik Productions and The Junction.

    MORE ABOUT SADAF

  • Zainah ANWAR

    Speaker

    Zainah Anwar is the co-founder of Sisters in Islam and Musawah. She has written two books and numerous articles, and given talks on Islam and women’s rights, political Islam, Malaysian politics, and race relations.

    MORE ABOUT ZAINAH

  • Marina MAHATHIR

    Host/Moderator

    Marina Mahathir is a writer and activist for women’s rights and HIV/AIDS. She chairs Musawah and is a member of Sisters in Islam. She writes and speaks regularly on gender and human rights issues, and has authored five books.

    MORE ABOUT MARINA

  • Jac SM KEE

    Speaker

    Jac sm Kee is a feminist tech activist and writer whose work bridges technology, gender justice, and collective power. She co-founded Take Back the Tech! and helped shape the Feminist Principles of the Internet.

    MORE ABOUT JAC

  • Munirih JEBENI

    Performer

    Munirih Jebeni, a Sea Dayak woman from Kuching, Sarawak, is a choreographer, dancer, Sape’ instrumentalist, educator, fire-breather, and the founder of Talent Fluent Enterprise, with over 13 years of experience in the industry.

    MORE ABOUT MUNIRIH

  • zx2025-alleena-profile_400x444.jpg

    Alleena ABDULLAH

    Moderator

    Alleena Abdullah founded Yellow Tree Malaysia to train and consult corporations, MSMEs, and underserved communities. She is also the co-founder of Merawan, a boutique consultancy focused on people development and technology.

    MORE ABOUT ALLEENA

  • Jenn LOW

    Panellist

    Initially operating from her apartment with a startup capital of RM10,000, Jenn Low’s focus on quality and design quickly garnered attention, propelling Wanderlust + Co from a small online store into the global brand it is today.

    MORE ABOUT JENN

  • Miranda YEOH

    Panellist

    Miranda Yeoh is the co-founder of Paolo Paolo Gelato, an artisanal Malaysian gelato brand celebrated for its handcrafted flavours, creative collaborations, and authentic, organic marketing.

    MORE ABOUT MIRANDA

  • Edleen ISMAIL

    Moderator

    Edleen Ismail has been a sportscaster and sports reporter for over 15 years, covering the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the 2018 Asian Games. She now manages Astro Sports talents and community outreach programmes.

    MORE ABOUT EDLEEN

  • zx2025-chuchu-profile_400x444

    CHUCHU

    Panellist

    Andriyana Mohd Ghazali, known as “ChuChu” in the esports scene, began her career competing in tournaments. She is now an esports commentator covering various genres, while also working as a streamer, tournament host, and MC.

    MORE ABOUT CHUCHU

  • Farah IRDINA

    Panellist

    In 2023, Farah Irdina traded equestrian reins for racing suits. She currently works alongside Redline Rising, a non-profit organisation building visibility, mentorship, and education pathways for young Asian women in motorsports.

    MORE ABOUT FARAH

  • Lesley LIM

    Panellist

    Lesley Lim is a partner at MahWengKwai & Associates and a sports law advocate. She is also a dragon boat captain for the KL Barbarians team and a coach at CrossFit Pahlawan, melding her career in law with her love for sports.

    MORE ABOUT LESLEY

  • LOW Shao-Lyn

    Workshop Leader

    Shao-Lyn is a co-founder of Eats, Shoots & Roots, a Malaysian social enterprise on a mission to connect people with nature through growing food. She believes that absolutely everyone has the potential to grow or compost something.

    MORE ABOUT SHAO-LYN

  • Florentyna LEOW

    Workshop Leader

    Florentyna Leow is a Tokyo-based writer, translator, and guide. She is Editorial Director at sankaku and author of How Kyoto Breaks Your Heart (2023).

    MORE ABOUT FLORENTYNA

  • The WAYANG WOMEN

    Workshop Leaders

    The Wayang Women is an all-female, multinational wayang kulit troupe blending traditional Southeast Asian shadow play with contemporary music, poetry, and performance to create a bold reimagining of the ancient artform.

    MORE ABOUT THE WAYANG WOMEN

  • Faeznur “Benny” FAROK

    Workshop Leader

    Faeznur “Benny” Farok, founder of SheFights Malaysia, empowers women through self-defence and wellness. Through her workshops, she has trained hundreds to build confidence, resilience, and strength.

    MORE ABOUT BENNY

  • VIONA

    Performer

    VIONA is the solo project of Takahara Suiko, a lyricist, composer, and producer known for genre-bending sounds. Their works span albums, film scores, and theatre, including the Netflix documentary Shirkers.

    MORE ABOUT VIONA

  • Nor Fazlina Mohd Ghouse

    Workshop Leader

    Nor Fazlina Mohd Ghouse is CEO of Maybank Trustees Berhad with 20+ years in private banking, trust, and fiduciary services. A founding committee member of STEP Malaysia, she champions women’s leadership while guiding clients across global wealth and legacy planning.

    MORE ABOUT NOR FAZLINA

    • zx2025-amanda-profile_400x444

      Amanda Nell EU

      Speaker

      Amanda Nell Eu’s debut feature film, Tiger Stripes, won the Grand Prize at Cannes’ 2023 Semaine de la Critique. She serves as a juror at film festivals and leads film workshops in Southeast Asia.

      MORE ABOUT AMANDA

    • zx2025-drelaine-profile_400x444

      Dr Elaine PRATLEY

      Speaker

      As the founder of Peace Kitchen and Peace Inc., Dr Elaine Pratley uses food, dialogue, and education to foster peace and belonging. Her upcoming book, Hungry for Peace (2026), explores food as a method for peace practice.

      MORE ABOUT ELAINE

    • zx2025-shenelle-profile_400x444

      Shenelle RODRIGO

      Speaker

      In showcasing the beauty of Sri Lanka, Shenelle Rodrigo’s work not only fuels tourism, but also spotlights grassroots charities and humanitarian causes. She uses her voice as a megaphone for the good being done across Sri Lanka.

      MORE ABOUT SHENELLE

    • YEE I-Lann

      Speaker

      Yee I-Lann is a contemporary artist based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, recognised for her photomedia-based practice. Her work delves into the evolving intersection of power, colonialism, and neo-colonialism in Southeast Asia.

      MORE ABOUT I-LANN

    • Melizarani T.SELVA

      Panellist/Performer

      Melizarani T.Selva is a Malaysian spoken word poet, writer, and playwright. Author of Taboo, she co-edited major anthologies and her works have been staged and published across Malaysia, Singapore, and beyond.

      MORE ABOUT MELIZARANI

    • The WAYANG WOMEN

      Performers

      The Wayang Women is an all-female, multinational wayang kulit troupe blending traditional Southeast Asian shadow play with contemporary music, poetry, and performance to create a bold reimagining of the ancient artform.

      MORE ABOUT THE WAYANG WOMEN

    • Devina SIVAGURUNATHAN

      Moderator

      Devina Sivagurunathan has 20 years of experience in student recruitment and is the Executive Director of MABECS, Malaysia’s most experienced UK education agency. She also co-founded the Sivagurunathan & Chua Literary Agency.

      MORE ABOUT DEVINA

    • Florentyna LEOW

      Panellist

      Florentyna Leow is a Tokyo-based writer, translator, and guide. She is Editorial Director at sankaku and author of How Kyoto Breaks Your Heart (2023).

      MORE ABOUT FLORENTYNA

    • Aida IHSANI

      Panellist

      Aida Ihsani is the founder of Malaysia’s First Women’s Woodworking Workshop. She leads a women’s community focused on travel and mountain climbing, where Aida inspires women to discover their strengths and embrace challenges.

      MORE ABOUT AIDA

    • Anita YUSOF

      Panellist

      Anita Yusof is the first Muslim woman to motorcycle solo across all seven continents. A record-setter, author, and brand ambassador, she continues her Global Dream Ride 2.

      MORE ABOUT ANITA

    • Prestine DAVEKHAW

      Panellist

      Prestine Davekhaw is a multidisciplinary creative whose work bridges literature, philosophy, art, and the natural world. She curates experiences rooted in beauty and spirit, guided by a deep vocation for knowledge and awareness.

      MORE ABOUT PRESTINE

    • Charis LOKE

      Panellist

      Charis Loke is an illustrator and comics editor who makes maps, covers, and art for books and games. Their work is driven by a desire to understand the world, connect with others, and create images of quiet beauty.

      MORE ABOUT CHARIS

    • Balqis MOHD TAJALLI

      Workshop Leader

      Balqis Mohd Tajalli is a printmaking artist and founder of Sunprint Studio, specialising in cyanotype. Her work with sun, water, and botanicals explores biodiversity, resilience, and the beauty of imperfection.

      MORE ABOUT BALQIS

    • BREAKFREE MOVEMENT

      Workshop Leaders

      Breakfree, co-founded by Dr Elaine Hong and Imelda Yong, is Malaysia’s first MovNat®-licensed facility. Together, they guide people to reclaim health and resilience through natural movement, mindful living, and holistic wellbeing.

      MORE ABOUT BREAKFREE

    • The POWDERUUM

      Workshop Leaders

      The Powderuum, founded by Hanna Razali and Nabilah Nordin, helps people boost confidence through colour analysis, style, and makeup—empowering individuals to understand how what we wear transforms how we look and feel.

      MORE ABOUT THE POWDERUUM

    All That Happenend

    Sponsors

    ZafigoX 2025 is made possible
    thanks to the support of our sponsors

    Patron Recipients

    With your help, we supported four organisations with
    every patron ticket:

    Dignity for Children
    Equips 2,000 urban poor kids yearly with education and skills.

    Learn More

    ElShaddai Centre
    Aids refugees and stateless families in Malaysia with kindness.

    Learn More

    Ibuprenuer
    Enables single mothers to earn, learn skills, and thrive through enterprise.

    Learn More

    Women of Will
    Support B40 women with skills, enterprise, and networks for resilience.

    Learn More

    FAQ

    ZafigoX is an annual ticketed two-day festival organised by Zafigo.com, a travel and lifestyle brand created to inspire women to safely explore the world around them. ZafigoX brings women locally and globally together for a weekend of talks, performances, and workshops.

    The theme “Acceleration” is inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day 2025’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’. ZafigoX 2025 is all about pushing forward—faster, bolder, and with purpose. We’re igniting momentum to break barriers, challenge biases, and drive change—both personally and professionally.

    ZafigoX 2025: Acceleration is a two-day event from Saturday, 11 October 2025 to Sunday, 12 October 2025.

    Activities for both days will run from 9AM – 6PM.

    ZafigoX Acceleration is a two-day ticketed-event. Purchasing of tickets is required.

    Tickets can be purchased from 14 August 2025 on CloudJoi.

    Your ticket grants you access to the day’s Talks, Panels, Performances, and Workshops—depending on whether you’ve purchased a single-day pass or a 2-day pass.

    **Note: Workshops, however, require a separate sign-up, which will open closer to the event.

    Please note all purchases are non-refundable & non-transferable.

    Single Day Pass (1-Day Ticket )*

    • Standard Ticket : RM200 per person 
    • Early-Bird Ticket : RM160 per person (Save 20%!)
    • 3 Pax Bundled Tickets : RM 510 (Save RM90!) 

    *For Single Day Pass ticket purchase, please ensure you’ve selected the correct date. Tickets sold are non-refundable & transferable. 

    2 Days Pass (2-Day Ticket)

    • Standard Ticket : RM350 per person 
    • Early-Bird Ticket : RM280 per person (Save 20%!)
    • 3 Pax Bundled Tickets : RM 890 (Save RM150!)

    ZafigoX 2025: Acceleration will be held at Menara KEN TTDI, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, TTDI, 60000, Kuala Lumpur.

    The nearest MRT station to the event location is MRT Taman Tun Dr Ismail. However you will still need to take make your way from the MRT station to Menara KEN TTDI via Grab or other means.

    If you are travelling via Grab, you may select ‘Menara KEN TTDI – Main Entrance’ via the Grab App.

    If you are driving to the event location, there is parking in Menara KEN TTDI at RM3 flat rate for weekend parking. There are also public parking spaces available outside of the building and at the shoplots opposite the road. However, parking spots may be limited and DBKL rates are applicable from Monday to Saturday.

    Upon purchasing your ticket(s) via the ticket purchasing page <link coming soon>, you will receive a receipt via email as confirmation of your ticket purchase, as well as a QR code to be scanned at the event. 

    On the day of the event, please have your QR code ready. It will be scanned by our crew for registration. Upon confirmation, you will receive a wristband for the event. Once you’ve received your wristband, it is essential to keep it on for the duration of the festival, as it is non-transferable and replacements will not be provided. 

    If you’ve signed up for the workshops, a separate QR code will be issued. Similarly like the main event, you’ll need to present your QR code to our crew for workshop check-in.

    For participants attending the workshops, we recommend looking at the workshop’s description as some workshops require specific attire or items.

    For participants attending the conference, the room will be air-conditioned, so be reminded to bring along a jacket/shawl to the event as it may get chilly.

    Yes. 

    For both days, lunch and a tea break with light refreshments will be provided.

    Yes!

     Thanks to our partner Cuckoo, we’ll have water stations at the venue. Just bring your reusable bottle and refill as often as you like — staying hydrated while keeping it sustainable.

    Although the event is women-centric, we welcome anyone who would love to be part of ZafigoX 2025: Acceleration.

    The event does not have specific activities or designated areas for children. In event you will need to bring your children along, please be mindful and respectful of other event attendees to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.

    The Hotels nearest to the event location are:
    1) Avante Hotel, Petaling Jaya
    2) One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya
    3) Somerset Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya

    You may stay updated on the latest news and announcements on the event via our social media pages and/or sign up to our mailing list.

    Thank you for your interest in volunteer/sponsorship opportunities for ZafigoX 2025: Acceleration! Kindly drop us your inquiries at [email protected]

    You may contact us via email at [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp message at 017 510 0602. A member of our team will be happy to assist you and will respond as soon as possible.

    Past Event Trailers

    ZafigoX-2025-Day-1-RecapZafigoX-2025-Day-2-RecapZX2024-VideoThumbnailZX2019-video-highlightsZX2018-video-highlights