Celebrating Women in Wildlife Conservation

Happy International Women's Day! To celebrate this special day, we sat down with two inspiring women on our team, Farai Chapoterera and Corie Knights, to discuss their passion for wildlife conservation and how the world can work towards a more equitable future for women in the industry.?

Farai, a scriptwriter and broadcaster, has had an incredible career spanning the music and entertainment industry, as well as broadcast and conservation spaces in Zimbabwe. As a Head Writer and Researcher at a new commercial television channel, NRTV, she's constantly pushing the boundaries and creating content that inspires and educates.?

Corie is the co-founder of Wild Africa Fund and a dedicated conservationist. Her passion for conservation started at a young age and has only grown stronger over the years.?

This year's theme for International Women's Day is #EmbraceEquity, which is all about acknowledging the systemic inequalities that women face in various industries, including conservation. During the interview, Farai and Corie shared their personal advice for women in the field.?

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Q: What are some of the biggest wildlife conservation challenges facing Zimbabwe at the moment and how do we solve them?

Farai: I often worry that despite the best efforts of many players in conservation in Zimbabwe, our efforts are disjointed.

Unity of purpose is important if we are to address many of the challenges that we face. We have to package the conservation message in multiple platforms and languages to reach broader audiences. Through music, theatre, film and around the boardroom table, we must start a dialogue and create awareness. We must bring in young people, decision-makers, policymakers and even those caught on the wrong side of the law to the table and move with one common purpose.?

This is what I find encouraging about the work we are doing. We have adopted a multi-pronged approach that acknowledges the various stakeholders and created multiple platforms to engage and bring them on board.?

Q: What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing wildlife conservation today, and how does Wild Africa Fund aim to address them?

Corie: Habitat loss, Climate change, and Human-wildlife conflict are some of the key issues facing Africa. By producing our PSAs, documentaries, concerts, and TV shows, supporting partner projects on the ground and promoting tourism we hope to draw attention to these critical issues.?

Q: Could you talk about a specific project you are working on - or have worked on - that is close to your heart? What about it inspires you and/or what do you hope to see come from it?

Farai: The Music for Wildlife project is a very important campaign to me because I feel we have zoned in on something that will really draw the attention of young people and pique their interest. We have a whole wildlife heritage that requires a generation to stand up and take ownership of it. Sadly, that generation remains largely unaware and uninterested because the conservation space has been largely considered “elitist”. Through this initiative, using voices and faces that they love, we have an opportunity to turn that narrative around and help young Zimbabweans find their place and their voice in Zimbabwe’s conservation success story. Inculcating a sense of pride in the continent’s wildlife heritage will awaken the youth’s desire to get more involved.

Corie: I feel very passionate about all of our projects, #musicforwildlife, Unsung Heroes and promoting tourism, but Dr. Mark’s Children’s Wildlife show, the first of its kind in Nigeria is very close to my heart. Having spent time in the bush in Kenya with Dr. Mark I have no doubt that his passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for African wildlife will change the face of conservation in Nigeria. With 220 million people living in Nigeria and it being the largest wildlife trafficking hub in all of Africa, we really need Dr. Mark’s voice!???

Q: Can you speak about women in conservation – whether it be a unique strength or insights women bring to the field? Or inspiring women in the field you've met and worked with over the years???

Farai: Conservation by its very nature is a nurturing and protective space. Sort of like women. (No offence to the gents!). Women thrive in this space because this is exactly who they are. Whether their contribution is administrative and strategic like Professor Patience Gandiwa, legal and policy implementation like Advocate Ever Chinoda, Scientific and Community based like Dr Moreangels Mbizah, a creative like myself or in the front lines like the girls at Akashinga and the many female rangers across the country, women bring in a unique perspective to conservation. My experience with these and many more women in conservation is a strong drive to make a real tangible impact not only in this generation but one that will be felt by future generations.?

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Corie: One of the highlights of my career has been the amazing women I have been fortunate to meet and, in many cases, become lifelong friends with. I was honoured to be a guest speaker in 2022 in Rwanda on a women’s empowerment trip with our partners at ROAR AFRICA. Deb Calmeyer, the CEO, is a great champion of women and wildlife conservation in Africa. She believes “If African women rise, wildlife thrives” and I could not agree more! I met many incredible women from Rwanda on that trip, Professor Agnes Binagwaho, Yvonne Makalo, Lydia Nzayo and Ariella Kageruka to name a few.?

Q: What advice would you give to women who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of wildlife conservation??

Farai: As women rise and take up space in a number of previously male-dominated spaces, let’s not leave conservation behind. Our voice is important. In standing up for women and girls who fall victim to human-wildlife conflict while tilling the land or fetching water or firewood. In protecting our children’s inheritance. In securing the wealth of our nation. We have a part to play as communicators, scientists, advocates, volunteers, researchers, artists, transporters, and guides, the list is endless. There is room at the table for more women and those of us sitting there cannot wait to welcome you.?

Corie: Because of my passion for Africa, its people and its majestic animals, it is an easy decision to dedicate the rest of my life to help ensure its protection. Be sure that whatever path you pursue in conservation your passion drives you to never give up, no matter what challenges you face.???

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At Wild Africa Fund, we believe in the power of women to effect change and make a difference. We're proud to have Farai and Corie as part of our team and we're excited to see what the future holds for women in conservation.?

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Biographies:

Farai Chapoterera?

Farai is one of our Wild Africa Fund representatives in Zimbabwe. She is a talented creative, scriptwriter and broadcaster who has worked in various fields including the music and entertainment industry, broadcast and of course the conservation space. She has scripted for one of the country's top musicians, Jah Prayzah, anchored a morning breakfast show on the national broadcaster and currently, she is a Head Writer and Researcher at a new commercial television channel, NRTV.?

She has a passion for young people and prompts the involvement of young people in shaping the future that they want to see and deserve. Especially in the conservation sphere.?

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Corie Knights

Corie is the Co-Founder of Wild Africa Fund, managing individual philanthropy as Director of Development and leading donor expeditions to Africa to witness firsthand the conservation impact of Wild Africa Fund’s work. Corie is also in charge of event production for WAF. Corie spent the last decade at WildAid where she was the Senior Director of Major Gifts raising millions of dollars to enable WildAid’s programs, she also produced and led their very successful gala, launched their expeditions and managed Corporate partnerships.??

For the last 25 years, Corie has been travelling extensively across the continent of Africa. She looks forward to building our network of Wild Africa Fund donors and supporters and growing our profile and influence both in the US and Africa, her home away from home.?