Around the world, women are underrepresented in the armed and police forces. In Zambia, the same is true for women in wildlife protection. However, Mervis Luvuna chose to challenge gender stereotypes.

Mervis, a hardworking single mother from Kaingu Community Resource Boards (CRBs) in Namwala District, was looking for employment to supplement her family’s subsistence farming. She was not alone - over 80 percent of sampled community members in the Mumbwa and Namwala Game Management Areas were looking for work. Mervis learned the USAID Community Wildlife Protection project was looking for community wildlife scouts.

She jumped at the chance.

Mervis fought hard for her spot during the grueling pre-selection process. After being selected as a candidate, she attended a vigorous 90-day training at Chunga Training School. This is an exceedingly difficult physical and mental training. She excelled. Mervis is a quick learner. During the training, she mastered new skills as a radio operator and improved her computer literacy. She is a proficient user of the important Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART)1 debriefer and has presided over 40 debriefs already. 

Confident and determined, Mervis is writing her grade 12 exams so she obtains a full grade twelve certificate. She hopes this will improve her chances for a promotion in the future. 

Mervis is one of five young women who stand proud as community scouts protecting the game management areas of Kafue National Park. These young women are setting the pace to ensure more women have opportunities to participate in law enforcement operations in Zambia. 

Mervis is breaking down barriers. 

1. The SMART system stores and analyzes past patrol data to help improve monitoring animals, identification of threats - such as poaching or disease, and the efficacy of patrols. The tool is a combination of software, training materials, and improved patrolling standards. 

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Mervis Luvuna with two other women scouts at Mweengwa Base.
Victor Sinyangwe for Game Rangers International