Holly Budge is a UN Women UK Delegate. For her hugely impactful work in the non-profit arena, she's been listed in the WISE100 'Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise', voted 'Woman of the Year' for 2023/24 and has received praise from Sir David Attenborough. As an international speaker on conservation, sustainability and adventure, she was described as “down-to-earth and incredibly inspiring” by HRH Prince Edward. Holly has fundraised over £500,000 for environmental and social projects. She's a passionate advocate for female rangers globally.
Credit: Amish Chhagan
We have seen first-hand the significant ripple effect of investing in women and that bringing gender equity into the ranger workforce is strengthening community conservation efforts and relationships, with women being natural communicators, educators and investing their earned income in their families. Rangers are the last line of defence in protecting wildlife and wild spaces. Day and night, they patrol vast wilderness areas, monitor wildlife, seize snares, work with communities and, in some cases, arrest poachers. The female ranger movement is gaining momentum around the world, as women are proving so successful in using the power of conversation to ease local tension and strengthen connections between conservation and community.
Now is an extraordinary time to be alive. We may become the first species to document our own extinction. But we could also be the first species to prevent a mass extinction. We have the power to halt global warming, stop the industrial-scale killing of wild animals and protect indigenous people. We need to transform our relationship with nature. Help us support female rangers on the frontline.
Currently, less than 11% of the global wildlife ranger workforce is female. We want that number to increase. Women are natural communicators and protectors. This means that female rangers are strengthening relationships within the workplace and communities, and tuning into their nurturing nature to protect wildlife.
There are brave female rangers out there right now, seizing snares, clearing out poachers’ camps, and patrolling vast wilderness areas - all in the name of wildlife conservation. Their work is so important, but it isn’t easy.
Naturally, women have different needs to men. We want to ensure that these women have access to the facilities, tools and support they need to do their jobs effectively and continue to stand strong on the front lines of conservation, alongside men.
Credit: Purnima Devi Barman
As champions of wildlife conservation, as role models, as educators and as beacons of hope, female rangers are not only transforming attitudes towards the role of women around the world but are also showing the capabilities and success of females in traditionally male roles.
Many of these inspirational female rangers have overcome adversity, poverty and marginalisation. Becoming a ranger has empowered them and turned them into breadwinners and property owners, and has given them access to higher education and much-needed healthcare. They are proving that females can achieve their goals and reach their dreams, whilst showing other females and young girls that anything is possible.
© How Many Elephants 2024. All Rights Reserved. How Many Elephants is a UK registered charity: 1186238 | Privacy Policy