Women Empowerment

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We believe that empowering women as agents of change is important, not only from an equity and social justice perspective, but it’s strategically imperative for achieving meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes.

Leading the charge

H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, is a woman on a mission. With 20 years of experience, her conservation journey highlights the essential role of women in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. As the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 and the first Arab woman to lead the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), she campaigns for increased female representation in the field.

“In addition to our focus on indigenous communities and youth, we recognise the pivotal role of women in conservation. Women often bear the brunt of environmental challenges like climate change and habitat loss, yet they also hold immense potential to drive positive change. At the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, we prioritise empowering women as agents of change. Over the past two years, we’ve supported over 121 women as project leaders, investing approximately $1,1000,000 in their impactful conservation efforts in developing countries.”

By nurturing female leaders at all levels and promoting inclusivity, we aim to ensure that women’s voices are central to climate action, biodiversity loss and community well-being.

Making a difference

The significance of women in conservation cannot be overstated. Often viewed as guardians of nature, women are not only mothers, sisters, and daughters but also key decision-makers in areas such as food security, land use, and resource management. By embracing these roles, women not only enhance conservation efforts but also lay the foundation for a more sustainable future for everyone. Learn more about some amazing female led projects supported by the Fund.

Empowering the next generation

With support from Mubadala, she not only trained 18 local researchers as manatee fellows to better understand these elusive creatures but also secured a partnership with the National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi, to enhance manatee conservation in the wild.

Collaboration for women conservation

In collaboration with GEF we are supporting aspiring conservationists like Mailuet López, who is leading a project on migratory fish in the Arauca binational river between Colombia and Venezuela. She hopes to inspire other young women to become leaders in research and conservation.

Conservation for alternative livelihoods

Thanks to the MBZ Fund, Alicia Arango, president of the Association of Quechua Women for the Conservation of Andean Felines, innovates by creating stuffed animals and embroidered materials to raise awareness about the Andean cat's plight, inspiring others to follow.

Valerie Amondi

Featured Volunteer

Africa Can’t Wait: Lessons from the Continent

Connecting the dots

Valerie Amondi, a Kenyan native, is bridging the gap in conservation. At the MBZ Fund, we believe collaboration is key to making a meaningful impact. Even small actions, like connecting conservationists in the same region, can lead to significant results. While these experts often focus on different species, sharing knowledge and resources is crucial. To amplify Africa’s voice in conservation, Valerie launched the campaign “Africa Can’t Wait: Lessons from the Continent,” visiting four MBZ Fund grant recipients to highlight African conservation successes. This is her story.

Feature 1 – An introduction

Feature 2 – Part 1

Feature 3 – coming soon

Feature 4 – coming soon

Adventure Aces

More than conservationists — they’re storytellers, healers, artists, and more.

Female conservationists supported by the fund often wear many hats, balancing their passion for environmental protection with diverse roles in society. Some are public speakers, while others advocate through art. Let’s meet them and discover how they inspire outside the field.

Nurse

Emina Karalic

Conservationist

"Empathy, ethics, and teamwork connect my two professions – medicine and conservation. Whether it is people or nature, my goal is always the same: to help those who are vulnerable and powerless"

Public speaker

Dr. Iva Njunjić

Scientist

"Through public speaking, I bring invisible cave ecosystems to light and inspire others to care.”

Musical artist

Isabella Cortes

Executive Director of Women for Conservation

“As both a conservationist and an artist, I intertwine nature and creativity to inspire emotional connections with endangered species."

Women
Empowerment