Where women lead, nature thrives.
On March 18, 2025, Gorongosa National Park held a special event in honor of all women and girls, led by Mércia Ângela (Veterinarian) and Emília Augusto (Ranger). With the theme: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, it brought together around 13 women from departments of communication and conservation to promote debate on the empowerment and integral development of women in the field of conservation.
The event was full of inspiring and enriching moments. Participants discussed stories of overcoming adversity, mental health, and strategies to strengthen women’s presence in conservation. They also had the pleasure of planting trees in honor of the women who make a difference in our lives and in our mission to protect the environment.
Gorongosa role models visit local communities
Ten inspiring role models hit the road for an adventurous trip to visit Girls Clubs in the remote districts of Maringue and Cheringoma from March 31 to April 4. Braving rough roads and intense heat, they brought exhibit materials and stories to share with girls, boys, and scholarship recipients (bolseiras). The group included Amélia Bede (honey specialist), Antónia Albano (coexistence team), Arcénia Chivale (zoologist), Diolinda Mundoza (ornithologist), Dominique Gonçalves (elephant ecologist), Joana Dinis (Girls Clubs manager), Janado Cher (journalist), Maria Jasse (ranger), Sónia Viagem (beekeeper), and Tecla David (beekeeping expert).
“With every visit, conversation, and hug, energy flowed back and forth, leaving hearts full of joy and renewed commitment,” said Dominique Gonçalves. “Deep thanks to the girls, boys, promotores, bolseiras, madrinhas, the entire Girls Clubs team—especially our amazing manager Joana Dinis—and our patient and supportive driver, Victorino.”
As the Park works toward a 50% women-led workforce for Gorongosa National Park, their impact continues to grow. We celebrated our trailblazers in science, conservation, tourism, and more during Women’s Month. From International Women’s Day to Mozambique’s National Women’s Day, we were about unity in action. Read their stories below.
Emilia Jacinto Augusto
“My name is Emilia Jacinto Augusto. I am a Forest and Wildlife Ranger at Gorongosa National Park, working at the Pangolin Rehabilitation Center. With the work I do, I want to inspire women to become leaders in the search for knowledge to overcome every obstacle in life and to be ambassadors for the protection of Pangolins in Mozambique.”
Julian Marlucy Michael
“Women are a unique inspiration and they are capable of overcoming every challenge that comes their way, they are warriors by nature and full of competence and many congratulations to each and every one of them, whether they are a girl or a mother. My name is Julian Marlucy Michael and I am a district education supervisor.”
Carina Marimira
“My name is Carina and I’m a shop assistant in Gorongosa National Park, I enjoy my rights like any other gender and as a woman I am respected and loved and the issue of gender equality has made me a firm woman in society who seeks to inspire other women to find the freedom to express themselves.”
Jessica Fábrica
“My name is Jessica Fábrica. I’m the Social Entrepreneurship and Gender supervisor and I’m delighted to witness the daily revolution of female empowerment. It’s even more gratifying to be part of this group of women who believe in gender equality and who, together, break down barriers and occupy spaces that inspire future generations.’
Maria Florindo
“Many women are inferiorised and considered incapable of doing certain activities. Sometimes they don’t even get the opportunity to learn and show their abilities, and this often ends up being a barrier to progress. Let every woman fight for her rights and for gender equality and say I can do it. I’m Maria Florindo and I work at the coffee processing factory in Gorongosa National Park.”
Jessica Xavier
“Women belong in every space, from the kitchen to the construction site, from designing buildings to building a better future. My name is Jéssica Xavier, I’m an architect and I work designing resilient infrastructure for the community living around Gorongosa Park. For a long time, we were told that certain jobs were too heavy for women, but here we are, designing, building and transforming realities. Empowerment means having the freedom to be where we want to be and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
Vanessa Ramos
“As a woman, I believe that empowering women’s mental health is the key to turning challenges into achievements. My name is Vanessa Ramos and I am the manager of the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Programme at Gorongosa National Park. My goal is to help women in understand their rights so that they can build full and fulfilled lives in the future. “
Marta Sidónia Chissico
“Insecurity can be one of the biggest obstacles in a woman’s life. Doubting our abilities, sabotaging our thoughts and plans are common practices, but they must be put aside. We are strong and warlike, with an unshakeable spirit that drives us to overcome any obstacle. A woman’s value lies in the arrow she uses to win her battle. My name is Marta Sidónia Chissico. I work in the community relations sector of the conservation education programme in Gorongosa National Park.”
Celina Dias
“In the different activities we do, there should be no gender separation, because we are all equal. Women can do the same activities as men and this creates motivation for those who suffer prejudice. My name is Celina Mourinho Alfredo Dias and I’m a research technician in the scientific department. When I started working in the field, my community questioned me because, thay had a different view of the limits of a man and a woman. I overcame the odds, dedicated myself and today I am an inspiration to many women and girls.”
Sandra Petersburg
“My name is Sandra Petersburg and I am an Administrative Assistant. I would like to say that no one deserves to go through a situation where their rights are not respected and valued, or to be discriminated against, let alone appear not to exist. I believe in a world where the rights, equality and empowerment of women and girls are respected, a world where the light shines for everyone, without distinction of gender and no matter how difficult life is, that we are treated equally.”
Gloria Eduardo Candema
“My name is Gloria Eduardo Candema. I am a honey processing technician in Gorongosa National Park. My work is valued, which makes me realize that women are symbols of love, strength, courage and perseverance, and that they deserve all our reverence. May every woman appreciate herself and join forces to make this place a better and more colourful world.”
Helena Fanhero
“My name is Helena Fanhero. I work in the Oficial de Género do Sector de Relações Comunitárias. As I work with hundreds of women on a daily basis, I am more convinced that what women need is not to be taught what it means to be a woman, but to be awakened to the strength they already have and that is inherent in them just by being a woman. So let every woman who has already awakened be the catalyst for another woman. Let’s join forces and shine the light that we all have, because only then will the world be properly radiant. Happy Women’s Month!”
On April 7, Mozambican Women’s Day, women from different sectors of Gorongosa National Park celebrate in the town of Gorongosa.
We would like to thank all of the participants and supporters who helped make Women’s month special. Together we are stronger and will continue to fight for women’s rights, equality and empowerment in Gorongosa National Park and around the world.
