Global Forum on the Leadership of Women with Disabilities

28/08/2026

🎉 We are delighted to share some wonderful news from NFWD!

The Nation Forum of Women with Disabilities (NFWD), Sri Lanka is proud to announce that our solution, “Empowering Independent Living for Women and Girls with Disabilities in Sri Lanka,” has been shortlisted for the Zero Project Awards 2027! 🌍✨

This year’s Zero Project Awards focus on Independent Living, Political Participation, and Assistive Technology, and our work has been recognised among the outstanding solutions selected from 615 nominations across 94 countries.

We are incredibly proud and honoured to stand alongside organisations and innovators from around the world who are advancing disability inclusion, equality, independence, and participation.

Being shortlisted is a significant milestone for NFWD. It is a meaningful recognition of our continued efforts to empower women and girls with disabilities to live independently, exercise their rights, participate fully in society, and contribute to building a more inclusive Sri Lanka and world. 💜

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Zero Project, the peer-review experts, our partners, supporters, team members, and—most importantly—the women and girls with disabilities whose voices, experiences, and leadership continue to inspire our work. 🙏

We look forward to the next stages of the Zero Project Awards 2027, connecting with the global disability inclusion community, exchanging experiences, and learning from inspiring solutions around the world.

The Zero Project Awardees 2027 will be announced on December 3, 2026 – the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

What an inspiring and impactful discussion at our COSP19 side event, “Assistive Technology and Gender Equality for Advancing the Leadership of Women with Disabilities.”

As we marked the 20th Anniversary of the CRPD, we explored a critical question:

What urgent actions must Member States take to ensure that legal and protection frameworks address the intersections of disability, gender equality, assistive technology, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence?

The discussion highlighted a powerful message: assistive technology is a human rights enabler and a critical pathway to leadership, safety, autonomy, and participation for women and girls with disabilities.

Speakers and panelists underscored the need for:
✅ Disability-inclusive laws and policies that address emerging forms of digital violence.
✅ Greater investment in accessible and affordable assistive technology.
✅ Stronger collaboration between governments, UN agencies, OPDs, civil society, and technology developers.
✅ Meaningful leadership and participation of women and young women with disabilities in decision-making spaces.
✅ Accessible digital environments that empower rather than exclude.

A huge thanks to the organizers United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) CIFAL Global Network Sightsavers Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) Ministry Of Human Rights who made this important conversation possible. Special appreciation to H.E. Ambassador Luis Gallegos whose decades of leadership and advocacy for disability rights continue to inspire the global movement, and to the Claire Géblé Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame Cecile Mazzacurati Ceridwen Johnson Sarah Wang'ombe Bonnie Brayton
Esther Nagetey, and all collaborating partners for creating a platform that amplified the voices and leadership of women with disabilities.

Thank you to our distinguished speakers, panelists from truly around the globe, excellent moderator Cara Yar Khan

The future of gender equality cannot be achieved without disability inclusion, and disability inclusion cannot be achieved without equitable access to assistive save technology.

17/05/2026

HISTORY included Judy Heumann on their list of 250 People Who Shaped America!

“Over 250 years, the United States has been shaped by people who influenced how it works—and how it feels to live here. This list of 250 American changemakers goes beyond a roll call of the usual icons to also include the quieter architects of everyday life, figures who transformed our rights, our culture and our expectations of what this country can be. The list is designed to explore and debate: Come for the names you know, stay for the discoveries that may change how you see America.”

Full list: https://www.history.com/articles/250-people-who-shaped-america
Image Description: History logo with images of American leaders and text on top “250 People Who Shaped America.” Below is a black and white image of Judy Heumann speaking into a microphone and wearing a Sign 504 pin beside text: “Judith Heumann: Making disability a civil rights issue, she led activists in the longest occupation of a federal building in U.S. history and pushed through the first comprehensive law mandating accessibility and banning discrimination on the basis of disability.”

04/03/2026

Today marks 3 years since Judy’s passing 💜 Every March 4th serves as a reminder to “march forth” in her honor!

Artwork by Avital Dayanim, photo by Shuran Huang
Image Description: Judy Heumann in her wheelchair smiling. Around the photo is a yellow and pink collage with flowers and leaves.

20/12/2025

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

17/12/2025

📢 You’re Invited: Follow-up Global Webinar
International Day of Persons with Disabilities &
Join us for a powerful follow-up webinar bringing together global leaders, UN agencies, and women with disabilities to reflect, connect, and advance action at the intersection of gender, disability, and leadership.
🗓 Date: 17 December 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM (New York / EST)
🌐 Format: Virtual Webinar
This will highlight how women with disabilities are leading inclusive change, influencing policy, and shaping responses to emerging challenges such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence, recovery, and inclusive development.World Institute on Disability UN Women United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)International Disability Alliance United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) CIFAL Global Network
🎤 Distinguished Speakers Include:
Allison Colburn – Opening & Context Setting
Akiko Ito (CIFAL Japan)
A.H. Monjurul KABIR, Ph.D Kabir (UN Women)
Stephanie M. (UNFPA)
Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame (CRPD Committee / Sightsavers)
Susan Sygall(MIUSA, USA)
Bonnie Brayton (Disabled Women’s Network, Canada)
Takashi Minohara (UNITAR – Video Message)
Marcie Roth (World Institute on Disability)
Abia Akram, Chair, Global Forum of Women with Disabilities – Wrap-up & Strategic Insights
Zara Todd Claire Gebben

04/12/2025