How Maasai Women Rangers Are Defying Poachers & Patriarchy In Kenya

In Kenya, beneath the scorching African sun, a powerful group of Maasai women stands as guardians of the land, determined to combat poaching and challenge deep-rooted gender biases. This strong team, known as Team Lioness, patrols the expansive plains near Amboseli National Park, exhibiting bravery and resilience in the face of adversity."My community believes that women are always weak. That's what they think, they think so, but that's not true," says the Team Lioness leader as they embark on their mission, traversing the rugged terrain with determination. With keen eyes and steady strides, they monitor the wildlife, safeguarding precious species from the clutches of poachers.

Team Lioness: Defending Wildlife and Breaking Barriers in Kenya

In Oloitokitok, Kenya, women belonging to the 'Maasai' community are not only fighting poachers but also age old prejudice and sexism. The Maasai community are semi nomadic herders living in southwest Kenya and northern Tanzania. Naiswaku Parsitau, the Maasai community leader in Risa, said, "Our girls are now educated. At first, we were afraid that they couldn't do this, but today we thank God because it is now good; they have done a good job. Even if at first we were worried that they couldn't do this, they have proven that they can, which is a good thing. We love it because they have really helped us. They have been of good help in our own homes. If there are other women rangers, we will also give them a chance."

These 17 members of the 'Team Lioness' patrol unarmed. They have to keep track of the wildlife in and around the assigned area and fight if they suspect any poachers. They have emerged through societal expectations, norms  and beliefs to form a group that not only protects the wildlife but also the people of that community. 

The leader of the Team Lioness group said, "My community believes that a woman cannot do a physically demanding job. They also believe that a woman is only supposed to be staying at home, giving birth, ilking the cows and goats, going for firewood and water. So that is the perception I wanted to change." To be and live in a community that only sees your worth with respect to certain roles that are conducted within the sphere of household, women of Team Lioness have not only become the most dynamic rangers but also created a path for other women and young girls residing in that community. 

Kenneth Sae, the Endoinyoenkai Maasai community leader, said, "In every profession there are women, even in engineering there are women, in law  there are women. Even among the pilots who shoot in other countries, there are women. So why not this profession?" 

Women and girls rarely aspire to go into professions that are male dominated (so to say most are) yet the coming generation of women and girls needs role models and inspiration to be anything, to aspire to everything, and to believe in all the things. Being a ranger is common for men for decades, but when one woman steps up and takes an unconditional role, twenty other women admire him and take up other unconditional roles. Team Lioness has started a chain reaction of empowering women and young girls world wide!