Environmental Justice and Gender Mainstreaming

The Maa Trust is advancing gender equality in the Maasai Mara by tackling barriers that limit women’s participation in conservation. Through gender audits, safeguarding training, stakeholder workshops, and the creation of a Women in Conservation forum, the programme provides safe spaces, stronger voices, and equal opportunities for women to influence the future of conservation.

Barriers Facing Women in Conservation

The Maasai Mara is globally recognized for its natural heritage, but for women in the region, systemic barriers continue to limit their participation in conservation leadership. Deep-rooted patriarchal norms, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, and widespread gender-based violence have historically silenced women’s voices.

Even when women are invited to conservation committees, they are often included as proxies for male relatives. Within conservation careers, too many women continue to face sexual harassment and unsafe working conditions.

Breaking Barriers Through Gender Mainstreaming

In 2024, The Maa Trust secured an Environmental Justice grant from the Smithsonian Institution to address these barriers head-on. A gender mainstreaming workshop in October brought together 45 stakeholders to openly explore gender dynamics and identify strategies for genuine inclusion.

Critical priorities included engaging men as allies to challenge gender norms, increasing community awareness of women’s importance in conservation, and investing in education and capacity-building for women. Participants also emphasized the need for safe spaces where women could share experiences without fear. This has led to the creation of a Women in Conservation forum, where women can gather, support one another, and build confidence to lead.

Driving Structural and Cultural Change

Beyond conversations, The Maa Trust is embedding structural change within conservation organizations. We are working with camps and conservancy management teams to conduct gender audits and provide training on safeguarding against sexual harassment and abuse. These efforts are complemented by support in developing gender-sensitive policies and procedures, ensuring that workplaces are not only more inclusive but also safe and equitable.

The creation of safeguarding frameworks marks a shift in how conservation organizations operate. By formally recognizing and addressing issues of discrimination, harassment, and abuse, these institutions are beginning to foster environments where women’s contributions are valued on equal footing. At the same time, the Women in Conservation forum is providing grassroots strength, giving women the confidence to speak, lead, and challenge injustices that affect their lives and communities. This work is rooted in the principle of community-driven development: lasting change is only possible when both men and women are part of the solution.

Inclusive Conservation for a Resilient Future

By advancing environmental justice through gender mainstreaming, The Maa Trust is not only creating opportunities for women but also ensuring that conservation in the Maasai Mara is inclusive, resilient, and representative of all voices.