In the second episode of our four-part series for International Women’s Month, we meet Vera Kahundu Mwalye, a Zambian professional herder carving out a future in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Through Herding for Health, a partnership between Conservation International and Peace Parks Foundation, Vera has transformed her life. She is putting her children through school, invested in livestock, and secured land for her first home in Mwandi.
By using sustainable grazing techniques, she is helping to restore degraded rangelands in Simalaha, strengthening local farmers’ livelihoods. With the help of a mobile boma provided by the programme, she prevents overgrazing while keeping cattle safe from predators like hyenas and leopards.
Her family stands behind her, proud of the path she has chosen.
“They’re happy because I can support them. Herding for Health has changed my life,” she shares.
This initiative is transforming lives and landscapes across seven southern African countries, directly benefiting over 15 000 people. Vera is one of them – an inspiration to young women everywhere. She is proving that with the right support, new possibilities take root.
Have you watched last week’s spotlight on the achievements of Nawelwa Christine Muyunda, a young woman proving her mettle in animal husbandry and leadership?
Learn more about both these women’s inspiring journeys here: https://bit.ly/4i7gxhj.
