Teams across the Asia-Pacific region moved the needle for gender equity initiatives in 2022, thanks to $5.1M in TNC partner funding from Deutsche Bank. Known as the Equitable Protect Project, this funding mechanism aims to boost DEI focus in conservation and protection efforts by enabling Country teams to:
- Hire additional staff dedicated to ensuring inclusive programming for women
- Conduct gender surveys that guide DEI project design and implementation
- Support relationship building efforts with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
“The flexibility that this type of funding provides has been key to the success of much of this work. There are often many opportunities for teams to apply for funds to implement protection or conservation activities, but few focused specifically on DEIJ.”
— Dr. Kathy Radway, Equitable Conservation Manager, TNC Asia Pacific Region
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I'm a biracial woman, scientist, and mother of Filipino and British descent, born in the Solomon Islands and raised in Australia. My professional background is in marine and environmental science—I have a PhD in marine botany—and I've spent most of my career working and living on coral reefs in the Pacific Islands, Australia, and USA.
I'm motivated to center DEIJ into my work at TNC because I believe that for conservation work to have lasting impacts, DEIJ principles need to be at our foundation as more than just ‘the right thing to do.’ I believe that people and the environment cannot be managed independently of one another. Our Mother Earth needs healthy people and communities in order to thrive.
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TNC's Equitable Protect Project is a commitment of $5.1 million towards making protection projects in the Asia Pacific region more equitable. This funding has provided Country project teams with dedicated resources to hire or contract additional staff to ensure that their activities are equitable and inclusive for women. It has provided resources to support gender surveys, incorporate DEIJ into project design and implementation, and prioritize DEIJ focus in building and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities while working at the speed of trust.
The flexibility that this type of funding provides has been key to the success of much of this work. There are often many opportunities for teams to apply for funds to implement protection or conservation activities, but few focused specifically on DEIJ.
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Working alongside so many passionate and talented colleagues who are driving equitable conservation efforts on the ground excites and inspires me. Seeing the impact their work is already having on the communities they support, and the land and water these communities care for and protect, makes me hopeful for my work in DEIJ at TNC.