Saudi Arabia launches all-female sea ranger corps to empower women
In a historic step for both gender
equality and environmental protection, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal
Reserve has launched the Middle East’s first all-female sea ranger corps. The
announcement, made ahead of World Ranger Day, underscores Saudi Arabia’s Vision
2030 commitment to empowering women and safeguarding natural ecosystems.
The pioneering team will patrol a 170-kilometer
stretch along the Red Sea, working alongside male rangers and the Saudi Border
Guard to protect the reserve’s fragile marine and coastal habitats. The
reserve, covering 24,500 square kilometers, is home to 64% of Saudi Arabia’s
coral species and 22% of its fish populations, making it a critical
conservation site.
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Currently, women represent 34% of
the reserve’s ranger workforce, far exceeding the global average of 11% for
women in conservation roles. The Reserve’s CEO, Andrew Zaloumis, praised the
milestone, noting, “Women are helping shape the future of conservation in Saudi
Arabia.” Five of the reserve’s 11 team leaders are now women, reflecting a
significant shift in leadership within the sector.
The sea rangers underwent a full
year of intensive training under South African conservationist Dominique du
Toit, mastering swimming, marine patrolling, and aquatic safety before
beginning active duty in July 2024.
Equipped with custom-designed patrol
vessels, the female rangers monitor marine wildlife, enforce environmental
regulations, manage eco-tourism, and participate in species reintroduction
programs. Their work focuses on protecting endangered animals such as whale
sharks, dugongs, dolphins, and sea turtles.
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Since 2022, rangers at the reserve
have completed nearly 35,000 patrols across land and sea. The
establishment of the all-female unit represents another major achievement in
Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand conservation efforts under the Saudi Green
Initiative, which targets protecting 30% of the Kingdom’s land and marine
environments by 2030.
Source:
https://www.daijiworld.com/
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