Across the globe, we celebrate International Women’s Day (and month!), commemorating women’s fight for equality and liberation. Yet, even in fields naturally prescribed to women, like restoring and protecting nature, we still face a number of challenges. Young women are at the forefront of community resilience, policy advocacy and conservation, but do they get the respect and resources they deserve?
Ocean. Air. Wildlife. All are essential for us and our planet’s wellbeing.
We talked with our advisor Nour, and grantees Honey, Udval and Narantsetseg, who tirelessly fight to protect our ocean, air and wildlife, on the challenges they encounter during work and how they find power to push on and inspire young women in their communities, and worldwide, to continue doing the same.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a woman and a young leader working in your field?
Nour: One of the biggest challenges has been credibility. In spaces where science, policy, and environmental management are often dominated by older men, being young and being a woman can mean that your expertise is questioned before it is heard. I have had moments where I needed to prove myself twice, first as a professional and then as a leader. Another challenge is the emotional weight of this work. Marine conservation is not just a job; it is witnessing daily the degradation of ecosystems you deeply love. When you grow up by the sea, as I did in northeastern Tunisia, environmental loss feels personal. Balancing that emotional connection with strategic leadership is something I continuously learn.
Udval: As women working in the air pollution field, we are often taken less seriously and sometimes seen as less credible. As in many countries, if women appear too strong, we are labeled in certain ways, and if we are too soft spoken, we may be perceived as less authoritative. Finding a balance while staying true to our values, mission, and passion in the face of societal pressures is one of the real challenges we face today.
Narantsetseg: In terms of challenges we face, decision-makers and the government tend to see civil society as actors who only criticize. Particularly, as young women working in advocacy, it’s not uncommon to be referred to as “girls” or even “children” in a professional setting, which shows how we’re not taken seriously or as professionals with legitimate expertise. We constantly have to prove our expertise and show that we do come to the table with concrete solutions.
Honey: One of the biggest challenges women face in conservation is working in remote locations, on long expeditions, and within male-dominated teams. Aside from the physical demands like heavy lifting, harsh terrain, and unpredictable conditions, there are added layers of difficulty as well, such as safety concerns, lack of proper facilities, and at times, the risk of harassment or being underestimated. But I never experienced these with my team. You see, oftentimes we think that the challenge is solely about the fieldwork, but honestly, it is also sometimes the constant need to prove your competence and resilience in spaces where women remain underrepresented. Nevertheless, in Project Lawud, being the rose surrounded by thorns has not only shaped my career, but it has also strengthened it.
What would you say to encourage young women wanting to work or working in your field, around the world?
Nour: The ocean does not ask for your age, your gender, or your title before it needs protection. Your voice, your perspective, and your lived experience are strengths, not obstacles. Conservation needs more women leaders because we often lead with empathy, long-term thinking, and community-centered approaches. Do not wait until you feel “ready enough.” Growth happens in motion. Collaboration is more powerful than competition, and most importantly: stay rooted in why you started…. your work matters, even when it feels invisible.
Udval: Women and children are most at risk of air pollution exposure. Whether by staying open-minded, raising awareness, or leading clean air projects, we each have a role. Have the courage to speak up and the grace to weave through the challenges ahead as we continue our work for clean air.
Narantsetseg: My message is that no matter who judges in any way, to keep working for what you believe and be confident that you belong in that room and that you should raise your voice. And I want to tell myself, “Don’t let yourself be rejected, don’t step back from your passion because of the words and attitudes of someone who doesn’t give you the same respect and dignity as you bring to the table.”
Honey: Our team taught me that I am capable of doing greater things, just as they are. They helped me discover that my true strength in conservation encompasses sharing my technical expertise to protect endangered species, including the mental, emotional, and deeply anchored purpose I have for protecting the welfare of the Filipino people. Those experiences tested my resilience, sharpened my voice, and refined my leadership. So, to young women entering this field, I hope you also see conservation through the lens of justice, equity, and building sustainable futures where your perspective is essential. Seek mentors, build strong networks, develop your skills, raise your voice and remember, caring for yourself is part of sustaining the planet for the long fight ahead.
Be it in the mountains of Mongolia or the islets in the Philippines, our struggles are all but the same. Taken less seriously and with less credibility, being perceived as girls, not leaders and feeling less safe doing our work and advocacy is, unfortunately, a universal experience. But we must never let the “less” define us, because it is not in us, but in the eyes of the perceiver. We must have the courage to speak up, and continue leading with empathy, justice and with communities in our minds, for only then can we truly achieve equality and liberation. Happy International Women’s Day!
