Over the past few years, we have been especially excited to support our partner organizations in their efforts to include Zambian women in their wildlife protection units. The Zambian Carnivore Programme has trained and employed women to do field research and tracking. (Thandiwe Mweetwa, whose education was sponsored through AFH, now leads that program.) Conservation South Luangwa has incorporated several women into its highly trained team of Community Scouts and their women recently came in second in the Wildlife Ranger Competition where scouts from around the world compete. And Conservation Lower Zambezi has formed the first all-female anti-poaching unit in Zambia. Their unit is called “Kufadza” which means “Inspire”.

Training and employing local women as scouts and researchers has had incredible benefits, both to wildlife protection and to local communities. Women in Zambia are typically marginalized and, even with some education, have very limited opportunities for good employment. When a woman does find a well-paying job, she supports an average of 5 other people in her extended family and village. As scouts and researchers, these women are often out in the community, educating adults and children on the importance of preserving wildlife. Being so visible, they become role models for other local women and girls. And as Ian Stevenson of CLZ says, “Women bring an added dimension to the work that the men simply don’t. They can influence people men can’t and gather information more readily. They are very, very effective at what they do.” Because these programs have been so successful, Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) recently joined with several organizations to address the gender imbalance within the wildlife sector. And for the first time, their last training course had an equal number of male and female scouts.

Stella Siansuna is a perfect example of the impact of these programs. Stella was orphaned as a young child and sent to live with an uncle. She loved school. But education is not free after the 7th grade, and her uncle said there was no money for her to continue. She was kept at home to look after her teenage cousin’s infant.

Finally, another uncle stepped in to pay for her secondary education. Stella struggled to catch up to other students. Still, she persevered and managed to graduate. However, after graduating, the only job she could land was as a maid. She dreamed of something better.

When Stella applied to CLZ’s Kufadza program, 97 other women applied, and Stella was one of only six chosen. She then had to successfully complete a three-month intensive training involving strenuous exercise as well as lessons on how to navigate the bush safely, interact with wildlife, track poachers, and handle weapons. For Stella, who had never done much physical activity and was more comfortable playing chess and singing in her church choir, this training was an incredible test of her will and desire. But she successfully completed her training and was even identified early on as a candidate to be trained as a trainer based on her leadership skills and determination.

Stella aspires to grow in her career and even wants to become a DNPW Warden one day. She recently competed for a spot on one of CLZ’s specialized units (against both men and women) and was selected to become a part of CLZ’s Marine Unit. When asked if there was anything she would want people to know about her, she says, “I would want people to know how hard I have worked to get here and how happy I am to be doing this work.” Stella Siansuna is just 23 years old. Can you imagine the impact this young woman will make in the future?