On International Women’s Day, the call for greater female participation in the conversation around conservation reached a resounding crescendo at the Intrepid Foundation’s charity walk.
The event, which attracted over 200 participants aged from 12 to 75, was more than just a physical challenge—it was a powerful reminder that women must not be left behind in the fight for environmental preservation.
Samuel Karani, the Country General Manager at Intrepid Travel – East Africa, stressed the vital role women play in conservation, stating, “Women are the stakeholders number one, and they should be involved in conservation hence urged to step forward.”
He emphasized that everyone has a role to play in conservation, and it’s crucial for women to raise their voices and create partnerships that can lead to lasting change.
“We want to see more of them coming out, knocking the door, raising their hands, and saying, ‘I want to be part of conservation,’” he added.
His words echoed the need for women to create strong partnerships, whether through community-based organizations or other collective efforts, to tackle environmental challenges head-on.
The charity walk, designed to raise both awareness and funds for environmental and wildlife conservation, highlighted the urgency of the climate crisis. “We are in a climate emergency,” Karani noted.
“If nobody is raising their voice, if no one is saying that this is not happening right, people will continue to be passive.” His message was clear: the fight for the planet’s future requires the active involvement of all, especially women.
According to International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW )report, gender equality as enshrined in the 2010 Kenyan constitution remains difficult to attain—only 150 KWS women rangers were recruited in 2024, compared to 1,350 men—the journey from the education center to the conservation corner office is no longer an impossible feat for women officers.
The event’s significance extended beyond the walk itself—it was a call for equality and inclusivity in the conservation sector.
Karani emphasized, “We need to treat women equally. We need to see them as equal partners in this fight, not as competitors but as contributors.” Government policies, he urged, must align with this vision to create an environment where women are supported and empowered to lead conservation efforts.
Jabes Okumu, Programs and Advocacy Manager at the East African Wildlife Society, shared this vision. His organization partnered with the Intrepid Foundation to promote the welfare of rangers, with a particular focus on increasing female participation in the ranger workforce.
“Women are less represented within the ranger workforce,” Okumu noted. “This initiative is a call to ensure more women participate in protecting our wildlife.”
IFAW reports that in recent years,gender equality had become mainstream, and women were allocated a set quota during ranger and officer cadet recruitment.
“In recent years, some governments have also improved social amenities in marginalised areas, making it easier for women officers to serve,”Report states.
According to the report, this is a big win for conservation. ‘Women leaders bring significant benefits to conservation, because they are often adept at building relationships and fostering trust with the communities neighbouring national parks citing they are effective communicators and advocates who raise awareness and mobilise support for conservation initiatives.
The 10 kilometers walk was more than just a demonstration of support for women’s empowerment—it was a celebration of the women who are already making a difference.
Traditionally, the responsibility of safeguarding land and wildlife was reserved for men. Over the past six years, the female rangers have proven themselves equally capable of countering poaching and preventing retaliatory killings of predators.
Sapphire Wanjiru, one of the participants, walked over 5 kilometers to show her support for the cause. She hopes the event becomes a tradition, saying, “I believe this should be an annual event, and I hope it continues to grow and improve each year. It’s been an amazing experience so far.”
Wanjiru’s participation was rooted in her firm belief that the role of women is constantly evolving and that every woman’s contribution matters.
“We need to support women in all aspects of life—whether it’s in education, conservation, or tackling climate change,” she stated. “Every woman’s contribution matters.”
Additionally,Grace a participant from the travel industry, highlighted the importance of empowering women in sectors beyond conservation, specifically in travel and tourism.
“A significant portion of the workforce here is women, which highlights the major impact they have on the economy and the travel sector,” she said.
“Supporting and caring for these women can make a tremendous difference.”For Grace, the charity walk was not just about physical fitness, but also about uplifting women in the workforce and beyond. “We should continue these efforts, ideally on an annual basis,” she added.
“I personally have covered over 5 kilometers already, but there’s still more to go.”
While this was Intrepid’s first charity walk in Kenya, it certainly won’t be the last. Karani expressed his commitment to making the event an annual fixture in Nairobi, noting the valuable lessons learned from this inaugural walk.
“It’s not going to be the last one,” he said. “We want to see it grow and continue making a meaningful impact in the years to come.”
As the walk came to a close, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that their efforts were contributing to a greater cause—one that is about more than just walking for a day.
It’s about walking forward together in the fight for the planet’s future, with women leading the charge every step of the way.
In 2019 Wildlife Security team in Kenya launched Team Lioness which emerged to be one of the greatest initiative to protect wildlife.
The project consisted of all-female ranger unit that was part of the Olgulului Community Wildlife Rangers, they aimed to protect the Amboseli ecosystem .
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Recruitment:In 2024, 150 women were recruited as KWS rangers, compared to 1,350 men.
Increasing Representation:The number of women in wildlife conservation is growing, with initiatives like Team Lioness and other all-female ranger units gaining momentum.
Challenges and Opportunities:While gender equality in conservation remains a challenge, the journey for women officers is no longer impossible.
Community Benefits:Women rangers are effective communicators and advocates who raise awareness and mobilize support for conservation initiatives.
