The Special Force of Women

Our Akashinga (meaning ‘The Brave Ones in local Shona dialect) initiative is an all-female conservation program in Zimbabwe. These areas are currently the only nature reserves in the world to be managed and protected by women. They have been excelling and proving to be a far more effective and efficient model. We are scaling towards 1000 women by 2025. My background is Australian Special Forces and 3 years in Iraq. My career has revolved around training and working exclusively with men only. I started the now 501c3 International Anti-Poaching Foundation (www.iapf.org) in 2009 and carried a similar theme from my military days into conservation. Three years ago we started the Akashinga program and have not looked back. Women have become the bridge that conservation had to build into local communities. Putting women at the centre of the conservation strategy is a simple, yet innovative solution which can shift empowerment, development and philanthropy across the African continent.