March 8, 2021 marks International Women’s Day - a day to celebrate women's achievements, call out inequalities, and recognize the need for gender parity.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #ChooseToChallenge, which encourages each and every one of us to challenge gender bias and discrimination as we work toward a gender equal world. Together, we must celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality.
This year, we are putting the spotlight on five amazing women who use their voices to take a stand and help protect animals around the world— through their research, their journalism, their advocacy, and their everyday choices. These women choose to challenge gender norms and the status quo, and we are proud to know them and celebrate them today.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Click on a name below to jump to the corresponding profile:
Joanna Kerr
Joanna Kerr is the President and CEO of MakeWay, and the International Board Chair of World Animal Protection. She has dedicated her career to advancing social justice and women’s rights, a healthy environment, and strong civil society. Prior to joining MakeWay in 2019, Joanna led Greenpeace Canada, was the first female Chief Executive of ActionAid International based in South Africa, and the ED of the Association for Women’s Rights in Development. She currently serves as the Chair of the Equality Fund, Canada’s global fund for women.
"There is a huge role for love, care and compassion to build the world that we want."
You’ve dedicated your career to social good, advancing women’s rights and environmental protection. What does the future of animal welfare look like to you?
I dream of a future when humans have woken up and realized that we share this planet with other species — not to dominate them, but to live in reciprocal interdependent relationship.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned that you want other women to know?
We can’t take care of others if we don’t take care of ourselves. And with that, there is a huge role for love, care and compassion to build the world that we want, and to be explicit about that.
In recognition of International Women’s Day, what message do you want to send out to young women interested in protecting animals and the planet?
International Women’s Day emerged many decades ago as a means for women to organize and collectively demand their rights. But centuries of colonization and patriarchy has also meant the subjugation of nature and animals. These struggles are integrally linked. In simple terms, feminism has much to offer and inspire our work for animal protection around the world!
Aliya Jasmine
Aliya Jasmine is an award-winning television host, producer, and environmental journalist (M.A.) She is currently a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, Director of Nature United, and co-founder of the environmentally focused creative think tank, Lili Media & Design Lab based in California. You likely recognize her from years of appearing on NBC News in Los Angeles, Discovery Channel Canada, and MTV Canada.
"I encourage women of all ages to look into the Ecofeminism Theory. Ecofeminism is founded on the premise that both the feminist and ecological movements are intertwined."
What inspires you to use your voice to protect animals?
Nothing makes a human feel luckier than getting a glimpse of wildlife in their natural element. Those rare breathtaking moments inspire me. Yet, reports show that we, humans, are behind the current accelerated rate of species extinction because of the many ways we push & pull animals out of their natural habitats. When we lose our iconic species (which we are already starting to) the cascading negative effects in our ecosystem will be dramatic and irreversible. The fear of that and the responsibility - as a fellow human - to reverse course, is what drives me.
As an environmental journalist, what has been the most memorable animal story you’ve reported on?
I’m still shook after reporting on the use of bear bile as an alleged “cure” in response to Covid-19. The level of torture and inhumanity continues to haunt me.
In recognition of International Women’s Day, what message do you want to send out to young women interested in protecting animals and the planet?
I encourage women of all ages to look into the Ecofeminism Theory. Ecofeminism is founded on the premise that both the feminist and ecological movements are intertwined. Here’s a few examples of how:
- A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that women’s health can be more affected by extreme weather than men’s.
- More women, than men, die in heat waves and malaria epidemics associated with rising temperatures.
- Extreme weather is forcing people to immigrate resulting in instability and poverty that makes women more vulnerable to abuse (example: according to UNEP human trafficking increases significantly during natural disasters).
- Women and girls are responsible for collecting water in 80% of homes without access to piped water.
- Climate change harms pregnant women and their babies.
- People living in poverty are more exposed to the harmful effects of climate change. Women and girls represent 70% of the total population living in poverty.
Zoé de Grand’Maison
Zoé de Grand’Maison is a Canadian actress and artist. She has been an avid animal lover since childhood, and became invested in animal welfare and activism throughout her teen years. She hopes to one day save up enough money to open her own animal sanctuary, offering animals a safe refuge where they can live the rest of their lives happily and freely.
"Remember: there will always be people who disagree with you/don’t support your ideas, but that’s okay! If this is something you truly believe in, fight for it!"
What inspires you to use your voice and make choices to protect animals?
I don’t see any other option! I think most people have forgotten that this Earth is home to all beings, that we ALL have a right to coexist in harmony and freedom. Unfortunately, animals are often stripped of that right, by being considered human property, as if they weren’t living, sentient individuals. I therefore feel a need to give them a voice. Conversations about animal welfare are so important. Without them, animals would be left completely defenseless against human cruelty. I hope that – in starting these dialogues – I can influence people to be more mindful and encourage them to re-evaluate their attitudes toward animal welfare. All animals deserve our respect and compassion.
What makes you the most hopeful about the future for animals and our planet?
Seeing the love and empathy that the people around me are capable of gives me hope! I truly believe that most people DO care about animals, and don’t want to see them suffer. Unfortunately, as things currently stand, it’s so easy to live our lives without thinking about the harm animals are subjected to on a daily basis. With time, however, I think that information about animal welfare will continue to become more readily available. In turn, I hope this will lead to more people opening their hearts to animals and making changes to their lifestyles accordingly. It’s already happening!
In recognition of International Women’s Day, what message do you want to send to young women interested in protecting animals and the planet?
Do it! Use your voice and speak up! Remember: there will always be people who disagree with you/don’t support your ideas, but that’s okay! If this is something you truly believe in, fight for it! I know that, as women, we are often societally conditioned to be agreeable and non-confrontational. Try to unlearn that! It isn’t easy to do, but don’t forget that your voice is just as valid as anyone else’s. Our voices are such powerful tools. When we use them, we are all capable effecting positive change!
Edith Kabesiime
Edith Kabesiime has over 25 years of experience and leads on our wildlife campaigns across Africa to protect wild animals by working with young people, governments, experts and coalitions to end the exploitation of wild animals used as luxury pets and medicines. She previously headed CARE International’s Women Empowerment in Natural Resource Conservation and governance work in Uganda. Edith has a Master of Science (Environment and Natural Resource Management), Bachelor of Science (Botany & Zoology), Diploma in Plant Conservation Techniques, Plant taxonomy and a Diploma in Education.
"I feel privileged because joining World Animal Protection has given me the opportunity to use my passion and experience to make animals’ lives better in whatever small way I can. I have raised the profile of the welfare of wild animals and educated young people across many countries in Africa about why it should matter to them to protect wild animals."
What are some of your personal career highlights or memorable moments?
My personal career journey is a very interesting one. It is hard to say it has been a smooth and straight forward road; and for that I always call myself lucky. Why? Because not many girls raised in a remote rural area in a developing country like mine get the chance to study beyond elementary school. Many girls get married off before they complete their primary school education. In fact, almost all girls in my cohort dropped off and never had the opportunity to transition to high school. I count myself lucky because my parents did not marry me off to be a child mother. Therefore, my real big milestone was when I secured myself a place in high school.
When I joined university/college to pursue a degree in botany and zoology, and later a Master's of Science in environment. This was another significant milestone for me as I was the first girl from my village to attain a master's level of education, moreover in a natural sciences field. During my college study I received a scholarship from the British Council to pursue a short course in plant conservation at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the UK. This opened many doors for me, the first being my appointment to head programs at a local conservation charity - The Wildlife Clubs of Uganda. This became the real launch pad of what would become my long term wildlife-focused career which I continue to pursue to this day.
In 2008, I was appointed as the over all lead for CARE Uganda’s program for Women Empowerment in Natural Resource Management and Governance, a position I held until 2015 before taking a two year break from wildlife work. I really feel privileged that while I worked for CARE I was able to test and scale out models for resolving human- wildlife conflicts in order to create harmony between people and wildlife around some of Uganda’s major national parks. I am humbled that these models are still being promoted around many protected areas in Uganda. During my career at CARE we pushed for the adoption and inclusion of the “do no harm” principle in the text for the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was a significant global achievement.
Joining World Animal Protection in 2017 was another significant milestone. I thank my son who encouraged me to jump onto this opportunity. To be honest, working for World Animal Protection has been one of the most fulfilling moments in my career journey. There is nothing more fulfilling than doing what one loves to do; to speak for the voiceless; but also to manage the fear of potential rejection by friends who may feel that animal lives don’t matter that much. I love the fact that my family admire what I am doing for animals and are very supportive to an extent that they sometimes directly participate in my work. This never happened before in my previous jobs!
I feel privileged because joining World Animal Protection has given me the opportunity to use my passion and experience to make animals’ lives better in whatever small way I can. I have raised the profile of the welfare of wild animals and educated young people across many countries in Africa about why it should matter to them to protect wild animals.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Your attitude determines your altitude - Loyalty, honesty and love for what you do are key to career success. Not holding back and being resourceful to work colleagues translates into your own success ultimately. It is always nice to go an extra mile to do your best and create time for learning. When things seem tough, keeping a positive attitude is very critical. Giving up should never be an option.
In recognition of International Women’s Day, what message do you want to send out to young women interested in protecting animals and the planet?
I want to tell young women that we live in an interconnected world. For every action you take in your daily lives first think how it might affect the environment and the non-human animals that share this planet with us. Whatever field you choose to work in, use your talent and influence to protect animals. For example if you are an artist or a journalist, use your creativity to speak out for animals and the planet; create public awareness. For the young women that want to pursue a career in wildlife, I want to encourage them to follow their heart; they don’t have to necessarily study natural sciences. Social sciences, psychology and other humanities can still lead you to an animal protection career. What is important is the passion.
Dr. Anne Innis Dagg
Dr. Anne Innis Dagg is Chair of Anne Innis Dagg Foundation and is an Order of Canada recipient. Dr. Anne Innis Dagg’s ideas have been the same since the beginning; we should treat people, animals and their surroundings with the same respect. The Anne Innis Dagg (AID) Foundation supports the habitat and the people that live amongst one of the most magnificent creatures on the planet, the giraffe.
"There will be stumbling blocks that may prevent you from reaching your dreams so don’t be discouraged and figure out ways to move forward using a different path."
What are some of your personal career highlights?
In 1956, at age 23, I traveled by myself to South Africa to become the first person in the world to study giraffes in the wild. I didn’t realize at the time that I was doing something no one had done before. As well, I have written over 60 scientific articles and over 20 books over my career focusing on animal research, sociobiology, women’s studies and other areas of interest including a book about my mother who was and continues to be a major inspiration in my life.
When you graduated from university, women were not expected to be doing field biology. How did you overcome this hurdle?
In many ways, I never did overcome this hurdle. In 1972, having published 20 research papers as an assistant professor of zoology at the University of Guelph, the Dean of the university, denied me tenure which prevented me from holding a permanent position there. I couldn’t apply to the University of Waterloo because the Dean there told applicants that he would never give tenure to a married woman. These refusals were a critical blow to my career and the catalyst that transformed me into a feminist activist and away from my biology roots. I was able to obtain a part-time teaching role at the University of Waterloo in an Independent Studies program which I recently retired from. However, I never did work in the science field at a University after the late 1970s.
In recognition of International Women’s Day, what message do you want to send out to young women interested in protecting animals and the planet?
Focus on science courses through your high school and university career and seek out female mentors who can pave the way for you. There will be stumbling blocks that may prevent you from reaching your dreams so don’t be discouraged and figure out ways to move forward using a different path. It will be easier than what I experienced but there are still a lot of challenges out there.