Celebrating Leadership, Resilience and the Future of Conservation: Women Leaders Convene 6th Annual Women's Leadership Summit

For many years, women across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid landscapes have played a vital role in caring for natural resources, strengthening livelihoods, and holding communities together — even when their voices were often absent from decision-making spaces.

Today, that is beginning to shift.

From 13th to 14th May 2026, the 6th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit brought together 83 women leaders from 46 community conservancies across northern and coastal Kenya, and northeastern Uganda in Isiolo under the theme: “Celebrating Women in Conservation.”

Co-organized by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) and longstanding partner Conservation International, the annual forum created space for women to reflect, learn, mentor one another, and strengthen their role in shaping conservation and community development.

Throughout the two-day Summit, women leaders shared deeply personal journeys — reflecting on barriers they have overcome, lessons learned, and the paths that shaped them into leaders within their communities.

For Zaharia Ali from coastal Kenya, hearing these stories was among the Summit’s most impactful moments.

“I feel inspired being here at the Summit. Listening to women share stories of their own journeys feels uplifting, and I am learning a lot from their experiences,” she said.

Her reflections echoed broader discussions throughout the forum around representation, mentorship, and creating more opportunities for women to step into leadership spaces.

Zaharia Ali, Kiunga Community Wildlife Association Chairperson, addresses delegates at the 6th Women’s Leadership Summit.

Conversations spanned governance, peacebuilding, rangelands restoration, marine conservation, enterprise development, financial inclusion, and livelihoods — highlighting the resilience and influence women continue to bring into conservation spaces.

This year’s Summit also marked an important milestone, with women representatives from Morungole Community Conservancy attending for the first time.

Among them was Alice Namonging, who described the experience as both eye-opening and inspiring.

“I have met women who are chairpersons, managers, peace champions and leaders in different spaces. I would like to see more women empowered to be at the forefront of conservation and community leadership,” she noted.

Her experience reflected the growing cross-border connections shaping conservation leadership, and the importance of ensuring women across different landscapes have opportunities to participate, lead, and learn from one another.

Women leaders from Morungole Community Conservancy in Uganda share a light moment at the Summit.

The Summit also featured dedicated discussions around women’s health, wellbeing, nutrition, and personal care — reinforcing the importance of supporting women holistically as leaders within homes, workplaces, and communities.

Women leaders from conservancies participating in the Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project (NKRCP) further shared experiences in community stewardship, while exploring issues around governance, conservation financing, and how carbon initiatives can generate long-term benefits for communities when grounded in transparency and participation.

As discussions progressed, women repeatedly emphasized that meaningful change — whether in leadership, financial inclusion, gender equity, or conservation — often begins within families, schools, and everyday community spaces.

A medical practitioner discusses women’s health, wellbeing, nutrition, and personal care at the Summit.

Speaking on the broader impact of the forum, Betty Mutua, Project Manager at Conservation International, expressed hope that the conversations would continue shaping action beyond the Summit.

“We hope that after this Summit, women will inspire even greater change at the grassroots,” she said.
“We want to see more women champion conversations around climate change, carbon markets, financial inclusion, and stronger representation within their local governance structures.”

Betty Mutua, Project Manager at Conservation International (CI), addresses delegates at the Summit.

The Summit concluded in a vibrant celebration of solidarity and achievement, with women gathering into the evening to sing, dance, share stories, and reflect around a bonfire — a powerful close to two days dedicated to leadership, resilience, and collective growth.

Women leaders cut a cake to celebrate their solidarity, resilience and collective growth as they concluded the 6th annual Women’s Leadership Summit.

The 6th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit was made possible through support from partners including Conservation International, the European Union, and Justdiggit, with participation from organizations including Big Life Foundation, Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, and the National Gender and Equality Commission.

As the Summit closes, one message remains clear: women’s leadership continues to shape stronger communities, healthier landscapes, and a more inclusive future for conservation.

Story and images by Daniel Njihia, the Northern Rangelands Trust.