Team Lionesses: All-women rangers’ squad challenging the Maasai norms about women

However, a humble initiative on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park, at the Kenya-Tanzania border, is serving as a living example of the vital ingredient that conservation efforts have been missing by excluding women.

Barely five years old, the creation of Team Lionesses—an all-women rangers’ unit at the Olgulului Community Conservancy—has changed perceptions about the role of women in wildlife protection.

The idea of forming Team Lionesses was conceptualized in 2019 as a way to save girls from early marriages and provide young women with gainful employment opportunities.

The pioneering cohort consisted of eight young women, recruited from the eight Maasai clans. They were selected based on their leadership qualities, academic achievements, and integrity.

The women quickly overcame stereotypical issues associated with their gender in the Maasai community and managed to build a good rapport with the locals. They endeared themselves to the community, gained its trust, and provided a crucial link with the conservators.

“They were initially hostile to us, saying we were just women benefiting from wildlife while the animals were destroying their farms. We started talking to them and gradually turned them into our informants,” says Leah Mlela, a team leader in the Team Lionesses unit.

“They now can’t fail to report anything bad happening in the conservancy,” Mlela adds.

The pioneer cohort opened the door for more women rangers to be integrated into the Olgulului Community Conservancy Rangers (OCWR).

The second recruitment saw the number of women increase to 17. Following in the footsteps of their predecessors, they were determined to make a lasting impression and open more doors for women.

They decided to contribute a small portion of their income to support vulnerable girls in schools. This small gesture of appreciation became a turning point in their community’s view on educating girls.

“When more girls became educated, the community started saying it’s better to educate the girls because they don’t forget their community,” says Mlela.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) recognized their efforts by building a fully-equipped camp for the women rangers.

The women were enrolled in wildlife conservation courses and integrated into the rangers' ranks.

“We have our sergeant, senior sergeant, and corporal. We are fully equipped, including a driver and a chef. We even have a patrol bike and vehicle,” says Leah Mlela.

Team Lionesses is eager to continue overcoming obstacles until the playing field is level for girls.