This project is a collaboration between the University of Exeter, the University of Namibia, the National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN). Together, we are going to build a network of disability activists, scholars, clergy, artists and political representatives to explore religio-cultural narratives of embodiment and disability in Namibia. We are going to be running workshops throughout 2020 that will bring together scholars and stakeholders of disability, religion, and culture from the UK and across Southern Africa.

April 2020 (Windhoek): ‘Experiences of Disability’

June 2020 (Owambo): ‘Disability, Religion and Culture’

December 2020 (UNAM): ‘Challenging Disability Marginalisation in Namibia’

The network will exchange knowledge and collaborate further on four themes: (a) collating and foregrounding impoverishing experiences of disability; (b) understanding challenges and priorities from the perspective of the disabled and their advocates; (c) mapping and interrogating religious and cultural narratives of inclusion/exclusion; (d). addressing religious and cultural narratives of inclusion/exclusion in order to promote inclusivity, equality and diversity and, thereby, to maximise potential for development.

If you would like to get involved, please contact the project team by e-mailing Dr Helen John on