By Holly Budge | Founder of How Many Elephants NGO
PROJECT: Supporting the growth and effectiveness of the Akashinga Female Rangers in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Through your kind donations, £2000 was gifted to Akasinga’s Female Ranger Unit. Your support has helped cover the expansion of Akashinga, focusing on the following:
Recruitment and training - This grant enabled the International Anti-Poaching Foundation to recruit and train additional female rangers for the Akashinga Programme. This has allowed the programme to expand its reach and increase its capacity to protect wildlife and combat poaching in the Zambezi Valley. The funding has covered the costs associated with the recruitment process, screening, and selection of candidates, as well as their training in anti-poaching techniques, wildlife conservation, and community engagement. By providing paid employment and training to local women, Akashinga not only contributes to their financial stability but also enables them to achieve personal milestones such as buying property, building houses, and supporting their families. The ability to access education, acquire driver's licenses, and pursue higher education opportunities further empowers these women and opens up new possibilities for their future.
Equipment and infrastructure - This grant has supported the procurement of essential equipment and infrastructure for the Akashinga Rangers. This includes items such as uniforms, boots, backpacks, camping gear, communications equipment, and field surveillance tools.
Community development and female empowerment - The Akashinga Programme places a strong emphasis on community engagement, female empowerment, and sustainable development. The grant has supported initiatives aimed at building positive relationships with local communities and providing them with alternative livelihood options.
Your donations have played a crucial role in the growth and success of the Akashinga Programme, enabling it to make a significant impact in the conservation of wildlife and habitats in the Zambezi Valley. The programme‘s expansion and improved capabilities have contributed to a decline in poaching activities, the protection of endangered species, and the empowerment of women and local communities. The grant has been instrumental in promoting sustainability, gender empowerment, and community-driven conservation efforts in the region. Thank you.
Programme Summary to Date:
It is exciting to see the growth, positive impact, and achievements of the Akashinga programme over the years. The initial pilot deployment of Akashinga in Zimbabwe's Zambezi Valley demonstrated remarkable success, with a significant reduction in elephant poaching and a notable increase in wildlife populations. This success led to the expansion of Akashinga, with a wilderness protection portfolio totalling 9.1 million acres across Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The goal is to protect 30 million acres of critical wilderness areas by the end of the decade.
Furthermore, the programme aims to employ over 500 women as Akashinga Rangers, with a total workforce of 3,000+ across the portfolio, and increased education rates, economic development, gender equity, and health and wellbeing in the communities with which we partner.
The Akashinga programme represents a genuinely effective approach that combines conservation efforts with the empowerment of women. It introduces a unique model where women are placed at the forefront of conservation in a meaningful and comprehensive way, allowing them to take full responsibility for the program's success. This is a significant departure from previous instances across the African continent, where women were often limited to specific roles in a frontline capacity without being given the opportunity to shoulder the entire responsibility themselves.
By placing women at the centre of our conservation strategy, Akashinga is not only making strides in protecting wildlife and natural resources but also creating a platform for the empowerment and development of women and communities. This innovative solution recognizes the potential and value that women bring to the field of conservation, and it aims to harness their skills, perspectives, and leadership to drive positive change. By doing so, Akashinga is not only challenging traditional gender roles but also promoting gender equality and opening up new avenues for women to play a significant role in conservation efforts across the African continent.
Akashinga serves as an inspiring model that showcases the importance of gender equality, community engagement, and environmental stewardship in achieving broader societal and environmental goals.
Thank you for your continued commitment to empowering communities and shifting the paradigm in conservation efforts across the continent. It is truly remarkable to see how the programme has transformed the lives of the women involved and the communities they belong to.
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