In southern Africa, the traditional mindset dictates that women raise children, while men work to support their families. However, attitudes are changing and there is an increasing presence of and support for women working in conservation, including community initiatives to bring like-minded women together, post-graduate training in the latest research techniques, and targeted employment of women as guides and rangers. This means that, at the forefront of conservation across Southern Africa, are women whose stories, knowledge, and leadership are transforming the future.

Numerous projects to empower women in the context of conservation are being implemented simultaneously across southern Africa, and lessons learned from one project could be applied to another to enable parallel challenges to be overcome more easily, but communication lines among projects have rarely been established.

To facilitate the exchange of ideas, enhance networking opportunities and support the recognition of the role of women in conservation, we are organising an international congress, named “Women Conserving Southern Africa”, to be held in Kasane, Botswana, from the 16th – 20th February, 2026. Similar programs are under way in the global North, but there is no evidence of any initiatives with this theme in southern Africa.

Through coordinators based in 12 different countries (Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe), we have invited women from different backgrounds engaged in conservation through local communities, scientific research, policy development and NGOs to apply for the chance to participate. As of August 2025, 160 women have applied for this opportunity, with every single one recognising the potential of this congress as a networking platform from which to build regional collaborations.

Based on feedback from applicants, each day of the the congress will be organized around a central theme: Community-Based Natural Resource Management; Biodiversity; Climate Change; Indigenous Knowledge; and Gender Equality. Skills workshops will be organised to meet needs identified by applicants, focusing on topics such as Conservation Technology; Leadership and Management; Data Analysis; Fundraising; and Data Management. Applicants have indicated that they can speak to these themes and provide training in these topics, so the congress will provide opportunities for women to learn from each other.

Over the course of the congress, women will be identified to set up and lead a network for each theme that will further collaborations beyond the scope of the event.

More than 50% of the applicants have indicated that they can't cover any of their own costs. These women would rarely have such an opportunity so we want to make sure that their ability to attend is not restricted by their income.

We need support for women to travel to Kasane, Botswana, from across southern Africa and for their meals and accommodation during the congress. We have sourced some funds and are actively seeking more from every avenue, but we are still short and so we are appealing to the global community to assist with this ambitious project.