http://www.exploringwomanhoodfoundation.com/

Exploring Womanhood Foundation, Nagpur (2026)

28/10/2026

🌍 Bringing Asian Ranger Voices Together at C*D COP17 – Yerevan, Armenia

At the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (C*D COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia, we had the privilege of bringing together leading organizations and representatives to discuss an issue at the heart of effective biodiversity conservation the role, recognition and future of rangers across countries.

The dialogue brought together representatives from WWF, Mongolian Ranger Federation, Women for Biodiversity, Exploring Womanhood Foundation, and representatives connected with the Government of Mongolia, creating a valuable space for exchange across countries and conservation systems.

🤝 Our discussions focused on the realities faced by rangers in different countries, their contribution to biodiversity conservation, their engagement with local and Indigenous communities, and the need to strengthen their recognition, participation, wellbeing and representation within global conservation processes.

From India to Mongolia and beyond, rangers are not only protecting forests, wildlife and ecosystems. They are frontline practitioners, community bridges, knowledge holders and key actors in implementing global biodiversity commitments.

For Exploring Womanhood Foundation, this dialogue was especially meaningful as we continue advocating for women rangers and frontline conservation professionals to have a stronger voice on global platforms.

The conversation at COP17 reaffirmed one important message:

If we are serious about achieving global biodiversity goals, Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KG-GBF) voices of those protecting biodiversity on the ground must be part of the conversation.

From the field to the global stage "Ranger voices matter".

Exploring Womanhood Foundation
Mongolian Ranger Federation
World Wildlife Fund
Women 4 Biodiversity

*DCOP17

27/10/2026

A milestone for gender-responsive biodiversity action at C*D COP17, Yerevan, Armenia. 🇦🇲🌿

Today at C*D COP17, the Gender & Women’s Outlook, initiated by the C*D Women’s Caucus, was released as an important contribution towards advancing gender-responsive implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).

We are honoured that Exploring Womanhood Foundation (EWF) has contributed to this collective publication, bringing forward our field experience of recognising and strengthening the leadership of women rangers and women working at the frontline of biodiversity conservation.

Our contribution under KM-GBF Target 23 highlights the VanDurga Conservation Award, an initiative of Exploring Womanhood Foundation that recognises and celebrates women who contribute to wildlife protection, forest conservation, biodiversity stewardship and community-based conservation.

Target 23 calls for gender equality in the implementation of the KM-GBF, including equal opportunity and capacity for women and girls, and their full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of biodiversity action, engagement, policy and decision-making.

The VanDurga Conservation Award translates this commitment into practice by making women’s contributions to conservation visible, valued and recognised. It creates a platform where women rangers, frontline conservation practitioners and women connected with forest-dependent communities can be acknowledged not only as beneficiaries, but as conservation leaders, knowledge holders, practitioners and agents of change.

From the forest frontline to the global biodiversity policy table, women are shaping the future of nature.

Recognise. Represent. Empower. Lead.

Exploring Womanhood Foundation | EWF
Advancing women’s leadership for biodiversity, conservation and climate resilience.

*DCOP17 *DWomensCaucus

27/10/2026

At the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (C*D COP17), Yerevan, Armenia, Exploring Womanhood Foundation (EWF) brought the lived experiences, leadership and conservation journeys of women rangers from India to an global audience.

On 23 October 2026, through the C*D Women’s Hub, with the support of the C*D Women Caucus, EWF presented:

“From Invisible to Influential: Women Leading Biodiversity Conservation: Lessons from India.”

The session created an important space to share stories from the field, stories of women who protect forests and wildlife, work in challenging landscapes, engage with local communities, respond to conservation pressures and contribute every day to biodiversity protection.

We spoke not only about achievements, but also about the realities women rangers face: field challenges, safety, working conditions, access to resources and training, social expectations, leadership opportunities and the need for greater recognition of their contribution to conservation governance.

Most importantly, the session demonstrated that women rangers are not merely beneficiaries of biodiversity action. They are practitioners, knowledge holders, community bridges, conservation leaders and frontline implementers of global biodiversity commitments.

The response from COP17 participants was deeply encouraging. Delegates and participants from different regions including Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia were engaged with the stories, asked questions, shared reflections and expressed strong interest in connecting with EWF for future work, knowledge exchange and collaboration on women and ranger-related initiatives.

We were particularly encouraged by the interest from Europe, Africa and Armenian stakeholders and faith-based organisations, and by the opportunities emerging for future cooperation.

For EWF, this was more than a presentation.

It was an opportunity to ensure that the voices of women working on the ground are heard alongside global biodiversity discussions.

As the world moves from commitments towards implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the experiences of frontline conservation practitioners must inform that journey.

Women rangers are already leading biodiversity action.
Now, their experiences must be recognised, their leadership strengthened, and their voices meaningfully included in conservation decision-making.

We are grateful to the C*D Women Caucus and the Women’s Hub for creating a space where these stories could reach a global audience, and to everyone who listened, engaged, encouraged and extended their hand for future collaboration.

From the forests of India to the global biodiversity stage in Yerevan, UN C*D COP17 Armenia

the journey of women rangers is becoming a global conservation narrative.

Exploring Womanhood Foundation (EWF)
Advancing women’s leadership in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and community-based conservation.

Exploring Womanhood Foundation

*DCOP17 *DWomenCaucus

26/10/2026

The Yerevan Ranger Call
Towards Institutional Representation of Rangers in the Global Biodiversity Process.

At the UN Biodiversity Conference (C*D COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia, the Exploring Womanhood Foundation (EWF) is advancing a global advocacy initiative: The Yerevan Ranger Call.

Rangers are among the foremost frontline practitioners of biodiversity conservation. They protect forests and wildlife, help prevent biodiversity loss, respond to climate and conservation challenges, and work alongside Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to turn global commitments into action on the ground.

Despite this central role, rangers have no institutional representation in global biodiversity decision-making. Through the Yerevan Ranger Call, EWF has formally asked the C*D Secretariat to explore an appropriate, institutionalised mechanism for dedicated ranger representation within the C*D process. This includes consideration of a formal rangers' constituency or dedicated representation in relevant plenary and policy processes.

This is not merely a request for participation. It is a call to ensure that the knowledge, experience and perspectives of those implementing conservation on the ground are meaningfully reflected in global biodiversity governance.

At COP17, EWF has raised the issue through multiple dialogues and engagements and has submitted a formal communication to the Secretariat. EWF also sought a dialogue with the Secretariat through the C*D Alliance. That meeting could not take place owing to unavoidable circumstances, and EWF remains hopeful of presenting the proposal to the Secretariat during the Conference.

EWF respectfully calls upon Parties to the C*D, observer organisations, NGOs, CSOs, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, ranger networks, conservation institutions and other biodiversity stakeholders to consider and support this call.
Rangers deserve more than recognition for their work in the field. They deserve a meaningful voice in the processes that shape the future of biodiversity conservation.

From the field to the global negotiating space, let the voices of rangers be heard.

Support the Yerevan Ranger Call.
Support institutional representation for rangers in global biodiversity governance.

Exploring Womanhood Foundation (EWF)
C*D COP17 | Yerevan, Armenia | 2026
Initiated by the Exploring Womanhood Foundation on behalf of rangers worldwide.

25/10/2026

It was an honor to Exploring Womanhood Foundation share stage of ASEAN Pavilion with Ministry of Japan, Ministry of Korea, Ministry of Philippines, IUCN APAP, Equilibrium and Biodiversity Center.

Thank you to all the dignitaries, Parties and Organisation.

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas
IUCN Asia
ASEAN
Exploring Womanhood Foundation
COP17 Armenia

24/10/2026

A Proud Moment for Women Rangers Worldwide

At present, on the land of Armenia, Yerevan at COP17, It is a moment of immense pride for Exploring Womanhood Foundation (EWF) to see the voices of women rangers carried from the forests of India and all over the world to the global biodiversity policy arena at C*D COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia.

EWF’s policy statement, “Women Rangers as Frontline Leaders in Biodiversity and Climate Action,” was discussed under Agenda Item 18(a) – Biodiversity and Climate Change, with the approval of the Chair.

For women rangers across the world, this represents more than a policy intervention. It is a step towards recognising their essential role in protecting forests and wildlife, conserving biodiversity, responding to climate change, engaging communities and safeguarding our natural heritage.

The statement calls for meaningful participation in biodiversity governance, safe and dignified working conditions, adequate equipment and training, leadership opportunities, protection from harassment and violence, gender-responsive financing, and gender-disaggregated data to ensure that women rangers are recognised, supported and represented.

India has been actively advancing the conversation on women in frontline conservation, and EWF is honoured to carry this momentum to the global stage.

Our message is clear: women rangers are not only protectors of nature, they are leaders shaping the future of biodiversity conservation.

Heartful thanks to Lokmat Times and Lokmat News Network for amplifying this important global voice.

Exploring Womanhood Foundation
UN C*D COP17
COP17, Yerevan, Armenia

22/10/2026

🌏 Women Rangers on the Global Conservation Stage | C*D COP17, Yerevan, Armenia

Today, we invite you to join us at the ASEAN Pavilion, C*D COP17, Yerevan, Armenia, for an important conversation on the future of biodiversity conservation and the voices shaping it.

Deepali Atul Deokar, Founder & Executive Director, Exploring Womanhood Foundation (EWF), will be representing the voices and lived experiences of women rangers from India and across the Asian region—bringing their perspectives, challenges and contributions to the global biodiversity dialogue.
Women Rangers | Biodiversity | Conservation | Asia

📍 ASEAN Pavilion, C*D COP17, Yerevan, Armenia
🕒 Today | 3:00 – 4:30 PM

We welcome delegates, conservation practitioners, policymakers, civil society organisations and allies to join this important dialogue.

When women rangers are heard, conservation becomes stronger, more inclusive and more effective.

Exploring Womanhood Foundation
ASEAN
Japan Ministry
IUCN
APAP
KNPS
Asian Center of Biodiversity

*DCOP17

20/10/2026

We are at UN C*D COP17, Yerevan, Armenia
19th - 30th October 2026

Exploring Womanhood Foundation
*D
*DCOP17

IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas
IUCN Asia

18/10/2026

EXPLORING WOMANHOOD FOUNDATION AT UN C*D COP17, Yerevan, Armenia 2026

As an Accredited Observer Organisation to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (C*D) COP17, Exploring Womanhood Foundation brings together our key policy positions, agenda-based statements, official engagements and knowledge contributions in one place.

Explore our COP17 engagement, Connecting frontline experience with global biodiversity policy and advancing the recognition, participation and leadership of Women Rangers and Women in conservation.

Exploring Womanhood Foundation | India

11/10/2026

A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT AND MILESTONE FOR WOMEN AND NATURE

On the auspicious occasion of 'Ghatasthapana' we are happy to announce as
Exploring Womanhood Foundation
is proud to hold the membership as an IUCN Organisation Member.

We are Amplifying the Voices of Women Rangers and all Women and girls in the Conservation.
Protecting all kinds of Forests, Wildlife, Biodiversity, Marine, Wetlands, Natural Heritage.
Advancing Gender Equality and Climate Action through Conservation

Together, we are turning women’s voices into action for nature.

Exploring Womanhood Foundation with International Union for Conservation of Nature

Working for People • Nature • Planet

Exploring Womanhood Foundation
IUCN Asia 🌏
IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas

Exploring Womanhood Foundation

28/10/2026

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