An impactful march held on International Women’s Day brought together over 200 conservationists, tourism professionals, and local community members to raise funds for underfunded conservation projects and support women.
Organized by Intrepid Travel through its foundation, The Intrepid Foundation, the march underscored the urgent need to invest in women-led initiatives that play a crucial role in safeguarding nature and promoting sustainable travel.
Despite the success of this event, the broader issues remain: conservation funding is at risk due to shifting global priorities, economic downturns, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel. Many small, community-driven conservation efforts rely on tourism revenue, which has not fully recovered. With the global tourism industry still recovering from economic setbacks and conservation projects facing chronic underfunding, the event also underscored the urgent need for greater investment—especially in initiatives led by women.
“We realized that, in many ways, women face significant disadvantages. Women are at the forefront of environmental stewardship, yet they are consistently overlooked when it comes to funding and leadership opportunities. At certain times in their lives, they take on the role of mothers and caregivers, and in some communities, societal norms prevent them from taking on certain roles. As Intrepid, we recognize that with our expertise in supporting communities, failing to step up our efforts for initiatives focused on women would mean falling short of our responsibility,” said Samuel Karani, Country General Manager at Intrepid Travel-East Africa.
Women make up 54% of the global tourism workforce, yet they remain underrepresented in leadership roles, often confined to lower-paying and informal positions. Additionally, women in the sector face significant barriers to career advancement, including unequal pay, lack of training opportunities, and limited access to financial resources for business development.
“We still have a long way to go, as many women prefer office roles, while field-based positions—such as working in the bush—remain largely male-dominated. We need to push for greater female representation in this sector, including roles as driver guides, pilots, and mountain guides. Our goal should be to achieve a 50/50 balance between men and women in these professions,” said Gabriella Mambo, Sales and Marketing Manager Angata and one of the partners.
“In the past, women were expected to stay at home, but today, especially in Maasai communities, many are actively engaged in beading and ornament-making. Supporting these women is essential, as their earnings help educate their children—an investment that ultimately benefits conservation. Financially empowering women enables them to support their families, and since education begins at home, the next generation grows up with a strong conservation and eco-tourism mindset, ensuring the protection of our environment for the future,” she added.
In conservation, women’s contributions are just as vital, but they receive a fraction of the funding available for environmental initiatives. Studies show that when women lead conservation efforts, outcomes are significantly improved, yet gender bias, financial barriers, and cultural restrictions continue to limit their impact.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), conservation projects with strong female leadership demonstrate higher levels of community engagement and long-term success. However, less than 10% of global conservation funding is directed toward women-led initiatives.
“In the conservation sector, women make up less than 5% of the ranger workforce, and in Kenya, women in conservation management account for as little as 2%. Globally, only 11% of conservation management roles are held by women, putting them at a significant disadvantage. Yet, when women are actively involved in conservation, they play a crucial role in strengthening community resilience and improving biodiversity outcomes.
We believe in empowering more women by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to take an active role in wildlife conservation within their communities. By doing so, they can contribute to both conservation efforts and sustainable tourism, ultimately driving local development while living in harmony with nature,” explained Teresia Aoko Policy and Advocacy Officer at East African Wildlife Society.
Karani emphasized the deep connection between tourism and conservation, highlighting that the success of the wildlife-based tourism sector depends on the health of natural ecosystems.
“Tourism and conservation go hand in hand. Without thriving ecosystems, our wildlife-based tourism sector cannot flourish,” said Karani. “This marathon was more than just a race—it was a movement to ensure that we protect our parks, wildlife, and natural heritage for generations to come.”
Addressing these issues requires a collective commitment from governments, private sector players, and non-profits.
They include East African Wildlife Society: Supporting Anti-Poaching programs in the Mara through promoting sustainable conservation and management of natural resources; World Bicycle Relief: Providing bicycles to school-going rural children and health workers in Kenya; Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project: Advocating for the fair treatment of Kilimanjaro porters; Gorilla Doctors: Dedicated to conserving wild eastern gorilla populations through life-saving veterinary medicine and science and Patinaai Osim: Empowering Maasai women to create sustainable livelihoods.
“For the past two years, we have received support for our partnership programs, which we have named Patinai Intrepid Empowerment Trends. Through this initiative, a group of Maasai women has been trained in tailoring skills and is now producing bags for The Intrepid Foundation and our clients,” said Semerian Sankori Executive Director,
Patinaai Osim.
“Coming from a patriarchal community where women’s rights are often disregarded and equality is rarely recognized, this partnership has been transformative. Today, we have a team of 15 women who are earning a stable income every month, empowering them economically and creating new opportunities for their future,” she added.
