ZafigoX 2025 is almost here. Happening on 11–12 October, this year’s theme—Acceleration—speaks to the urgency of our times. Around the world, women are moving faster, pushing harder, and redefining what’s possible. ZafigoX is where we gather to share that drive, celebrate it, and carry it forward together.

Across two days (early-bird tickets are currently on sale!), you’ll hear from women who are breaking moulds and reclaiming space. Day 1: Breaking Boundaries, invites us to question what’s expected and step into new territory—whether that’s telling untold stories, reclaiming our voices, or building safe spaces online. Day 2: Reclaiming Space, is about taking back our narratives, reconnecting with culture, and reshaping the world around us.

Here’s a look at the women who’ll be taking the stage on Day 1:

Elaha Soroor
Afghan Singer, Composer & Cultural Activist

Afghan singer-songwriter Elaha Soroor first stepped into the spotlight on Afghan Star in 2008. Her powerful voice and outspoken advocacy for women’s rights won her both admiration and threats, forcing her to seek refuge in the UK. But displacement didn’t silence her. Instead, it shaped her artistry. Today, Elaha fuses Afghan musical heritage with bold activism, creating songs that reclaim space for women and honour resilience.

Her session, Healing Harmonies, explores how music becomes more than sound—it becomes memory, belonging, and therapy. Elaha will share how music can help us navigate trauma, build resilience, and reconnect with our roots.

Jac SM Kee
Feminist Tech Activist & Writer

Jac SM Kee is a feminist activist, writer, and organiser working at the intersections of technology, gender, and social justice. She co-founded Take Back the Tech!, a global campaign to end online gender-based violence, and helped shape the Feminist Principles of the Internet. In Malaysia, she co-founded the Malaysia Design Archive, and globally, she co-founded the Numun Fund, the first dedicated fund for feminist tech.

At ZafigoX, Jac will lead Safe Travels in a Digital World, a crucial conversation on how we can protect ourselves online while reclaiming digital spaces as places of empowerment, community, and change.

Sadaf Saaz
Entrepreneur, Cultural Curator, Women’s Rights Advocate, Poet & Writer

As a Cambridge Molecular Biology graduate, Sadaf Saaz currently leads EskeGen, a pioneering biotech company advancing clinical trials in Bangladesh. She is also the driving force behind Dhaka Lit Fest, one of South Asia’s leading literary platforms. Through her company Jatrik Productions and creative space The Junction, Sadaf produces literary and performing arts initiatives that spark dialogue and change. She is also an active member of Naripokkho, a key women’s activist organisation in Bangladesh, and serves on the boards of both Brac University and the JNI Research Centre for Mathematical and Physical Science.

Her session, Across Worlds: An Entrepreneur’s Journey Through Advocacy, the Arts & Science, reflects on her unconventional path, from textiles to literature to biotech. Sadaf will share how moving across disciplines can open doors to innovation, dialogue, and lasting impact.

Zainah Anwar
Co-founder, Sisters in Islam & Musawah

Zainah Anwar is the co-founder of Sisters in Islam (SIS) and Musawah, two groundbreaking organisations that have reshaped the conversation around women’s rights in Muslim contexts. With over three decades of experience, she has become a leading voice for justice, equality, and reform, fearlessly challenging restrictive interpretations of religion and advocating for women across generations and geographies.

Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam
Executive Director, Pocket of Pink (POP) & Altorithm

At just 17, Ain Husniza sparked a national movement with her #MakeSchoolASaferPlace campaign after speaking out against rape culture in schools. Her courage ignited widespread conversations about gender, safety, and accountability, marking her as one of Malaysia’s most influential Gen Z voices in activism and social change.

Both Zainah and Ain will come together in a conversation guided by Marina Mahathir. They’ll explore how advocacy has shifted across generations, and compare strategies born out of decades of experience with the urgency and immediacy of digital-era activism. Expect a powerful dialogue on what it means to push for change, and how different approaches can strengthen the fight for justice today.

Day 1 of ZafigoX 2025 promises to be a powerhouse of stories, ideas, and inspiration. From poetry to technology, music to movements, each speaker will show us that boundaries aren’t walls; they’re starting points.

And don’t forget—early-bird tickets are available from now until 31 August 2025 at only RM280 for the full 2-day experience, or at RM160 for a single-day pass. Get yours here, and join us this October at Menara KEN TTDI, Kuala Lumpur.

(Note: Surprise! Early-Bird Tickets have been extended until 12 September. Don’t miss this extension and grab your passes NOW. )

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

For the full ZafigoX 2025: Acceleration programme and to see who else is on the lineup, visit zafigo.com/zafigox.