Exploring the dynamics of women’s inclusion in the ranger workforce

Abstract

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity target of conserving 30% of the planet by 2030 (30x30) requires an estimated 300-500% increase in the global ranger workforce. Despite this critical need, recruitment and retention remain difficult because of poor working conditions and a pronounced gender gap, with women comprising only 3-11% of the global ranger workforce. Although they fulfill an essential role safeguarding biodiversity, rangers face serious workplace hazards and employment challenges, including human-wildlife conflict, violent poaching encounters, corruption, and inadequate training and resources. Adding to these problems, recent incidents of ranger-perpetrated human rights abuses and violent enforcement erode public trust, damage community-ranger relationships, and ultimately undermine conservation efforts. Understanding the potential contributions of women rangers is important, as they can mitigate the personnel shortage and may contribute perspectives and skills that enhance ranger legitimacy and community relationships. This study draws on gender research in both policing and conservation to examine whether, and in what ways, the inclusion of women rangers in Pakistan and Uruguay influences community-ranger relationships. I used thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes from 46 semi-structured interviews conducted with male and female rangers across both countries. A key finding is a common perception that women rangers enhance community trust, especially in Pakistan, where their presence supports de-escalation, encourages respectful communication with communities, and facilitates gender-specific tasks in rural, traditional areas. In Uruguay, more equitable societal views on gender roles have created more opportunities for women’s inclusion but have also diminished the perception of women rangers’ unique contributions towards community-ranger relationships. Cultural and structural barriers limit women’s participation in both countries, validating the importance of gender-sensitive conservation approaches that are informed by the specific social contexts of each site. Creating initial workforce entry points for women may require inclusion strategies which emphasize roles aligned with traditional gender norms. This method may inadvertently reinforce stereotypes that limit women to narrowly defined professional responsibilities, but it can serve as a necessary starting point to drive deeper structural transformation. This research points to the importance of targeted, site-specific approaches for integrating women rangers in ways that strengthen community-ranger relationships and improve conservation outcomes.