CHEETAHS HAVE ‘SAFE SPACE’ IN SIEVERT’S HEART

She explained cheetahs play a vital role in their ecosystems, but like many species, are disappearing quietly.

- NICOLA DANIELS

GETTING more women into conservation is only the first step, keeping them there is the real challenge.

A 2019 World Wildlife Fund report titled Life on the Frontline found that in Africa, men made up the overwhelming majority of the wildlife ranger workforce - 88.8%, compared to just 11.2% women. This imbalance persists beyond field roles. While women now represent more than half of all conservation science graduates, many say they rarely see people who look like them in leadership positions. Olivia Sievert, Cheetah Range Expansion project coordinator and coordinator of the Cheetah Advisory Group at the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), says Women's Month serves as an important reminder for organisations to reflect on how they can support long-term career growth for women in conservation.

“Conservation is a male-dominated field, especially at the top levels and this is even more the case with large carnivore conservation. As a result, I have experienced people underestimating my capabilities as a woman especially when it comes to working remotely in the bush. Even though I have led successful projects in some incredibly remote areas, I continued to be underestimated and at times undermined by men in the industry.

“Early in my career, breaking into certain opportunities felt harder because I wasn't part of the ‘boys club’ with many decisions happening informally over a weekend braai. I had to push myself to speak up, back my ideas, and not compromise on my values or knowledge. It was outside my comfort zone, but it was necessary to progress and be taken seriously,” she said.

Sievert emphasised that beyond getting women into conservation, “we also need to focus on retaining them. That means creating safe, supportive, and inclusive work environments”.