Women’s Leadership Circle

The Women’s Leadership Circle brings together women from across Africa who work in forest restoration, wildlife protection, climate adaptation and community development. During this 8-month program, participants meet monthly with our facilitators to support one another in reaching their career goals through skill-building workshops and collective learning.

Since 2024, 47 women from more than 13 countries have completed the program. This network of changemakers includes a diverse range of experience levels, from executive directors to founders, crop researchers to wildlife rangers.

In post-graduation surveys, the women have reported increased self-confidence, increased ability to self-advocate, a greater sense of community, and stronger leadership skills.

Alum Spotlight!

Edith Muhindo

Edith Muhindo leads the environment and natural resources department at People and Nature Rwenzori Mountain (PNRM), which improve the wellbeing of rural communities on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

When Edith came to the WLC in 2023, she wanted to gain skills to support “my rural women whose voices may not be heard.” While Edith has long cared deeply about supporting women, she says the WLC brought out her passion. “The WLC woke me up and assured that I speak up. I was quite silent. From these trainings, I also gained a lot of confidence.”

Edith said WLC encouraged her to focus her master’s research on the women’s sector. “I realized that while a lot of women are working in conservation, this work is sometimes not documented. It’s underrated. It’s not even known. Men are at the top but women are the ones doing a lot of work on the ground. So women should have recommendations to change policies and influence systemic change.” Her research will provide a baseline on the needs of local women’s groups, and this will help determine what conservation projects will best meet their needs.