Zuhura Ahmad Shaweji
on Empowering Youth and Women for a Nature-Based Economy
If disheartened, Zuhura Ahmad dares young people to always remember Allah's verse: “Do not lose hope and do not be downhearted. You shall be uppermost if you are believers.”
Go talk to people who have already travelled the routes you intend to take, says Zuhura, and listen between the lines, as this can offer insights that are “far more meaningful and long-lasting than conventional education methods.” Be open-minded towards receiving a dose of inspiration from unexpected sources, because you are the future: “Without you, the future is without hope. You are our hope!”
A brave young leader herself, Zuhura uses the force of storytelling narratives as a way to inspire and empower us to take action. She is a teacher scientist and gender-climate advocate from Tanzania actively involved in nature conservation and sustainability initiatives for a nature-based economy, dedicated to biodiversity policy under the Global Youth Biodiversity Network.
She Shapes Nature, her visual storytelling project, is Zuhura’s way to spotlight and amplify the untold stories of local girls and women working in a nature-based economy in her country: “We often see an underrepresentation of women's voices and a lack of recognition of their contributions to the nature and climate nexus. I want to strengthen the evidence base by showcasing their journey from initial spark to action and impact!”
For communities to thrive and live in harmony with nature, Zuhura is confident we need girls and women at the centre. And that is exactly what she does: as Head of Programs at The Women In Recycling Foundation, she empowers women in waste management and recycling activities to drive positive change. Recognized by SheLeadsAfrica.Org on Top 50 Rising Motherland Moguls, Zuhura is also a gender-climate winner under The Top European Research Lab and a 1 Million Youth Action Challenge Ambassador.
Being a leader is one thing, but, in her eyes, stepping up as a regenerative leader is a completely different thing. Leaders should be healers: “To truly fulfil this role, one must first and foremost be a team player. It's essential to go beyond surface-level interactions and genuinely seek to understand and learn from the varied lived experiences of those around you.”
A resilient and unstoppable spirit, Zuhura’s current goals are growing the capacity of youth and women to contribute to the objectives of biological diversity and recognizing their equal rights and access to full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership.
Read Zuhura Ahmad’s answers for Inspirators and absorb her fresh and youthful leadership energy!
Thank you, Zuhura, for being a Young Nature Shaper!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Zuhura Ahmad Shaweji
Company / Institution: The Women in Recycling Foundation
Title: Head of Programs
Website: https://www.worf.or.tz/
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zuhura-ahmad-a63a8b162?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Country of origin: Tanzania
Country you currently live in: Tanzania
Your definition of Regeneration: For me, regeneration is all about healing the web of life, and rebuilding the diversity, complexity, and resilience of ecosystems, so that they can withstand climate change and other disturbances.
I think that, for the most part, nature will be regenerated place by place, through a process that combines biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement.
Main business challenge you face: Fundraising for nature-climate projects has been quite challenging!
Main driver that keeps you going: The passion for my work and determination to have a positive impact on nature, people and Mother Earth in as many ways as possible.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: Empathy, kindness, patience, humbleness, being supportive towards other people, the ability to not take things for granted and the desire to constantly learn, improve and inspire people through my work day by day.
The trait you most value in others: Kindness, empathy, positivity, resilience and optimism.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: To me, one of the passions or little things that bring joy is the intervention and commitment I make to protect and conserve nature, and most importantly empower youth and women to contribute to nature conservation, and sustainable economic development through nature-based economy.
When people draw lots of inspiration through my work, especially on the SHE SHAPES NATURE storytelling project, it absolutely brings me joy. And I’m very grateful for the ability to inspire others along the journey filled with so many learning lessons. This is also a beautiful reminder of the potential that I have to create the transformative change that I want to see in this world.
And on top of all that, is seeing someone else smile or achieve something they didn't think was possible. It's heartwarming and genuinely fulfilling. Witnessing those moments, feeling this sense of joy - a reminder of the beauty and potential of human connection and achievement.
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
I draw lots of inspiration from Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, a Biodiversity Leader and lawyer, who was the first African woman to serve as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
I also find extreme inspiration in my friends, relatives, colleagues and co-workers who have had the biggest impact on my life and helped me forge a regenerative path.
A starting point for companies or professionals that are beginning the regeneration journey:
Kindly start with your purpose. Ask yourself this important question: how will you make a positive difference to nature and people?
Talk to people who have already travelled the routes you intend to take – and listen between the lines to what they say, because this can offer insights that are far more meaningful and long-lasting than conventional education methods.
Be open-minded towards receiving a dose of inspiration from unexpected sources. Be ambitious, set strategic or life goals that are rooted in the regeneration agenda and trust that innovation will get you there. This approach has helped shape my perspective and could greatly benefit others embarking on similar paths.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you:
Exaggerating environmental contributions. People who are more interested in making a name for themselves than enacting positive transformative change are definitely bothering me.
Hearing that “women are agents of transformative change” when there is a gap in the active and meaningful participation of women in the Convention on Biological Diversity. This is a cliche that bothers me and undermines gender-responsive approaches.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope:
Young people should always remember Allah's verse: “Do not lose hope and do not be downhearted. You shall be uppermost if you are believers!” [Qur'an, 3:139], which reminds us to not lose hope regardless.
And, of course, remember that you are the future. Without you, the future is without hope. You are our hope!
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
● Qur'an - my very best book ever that had a great impact on me.
● The Seaweed Revolution by Vincent Doumeizel - this book uncovers the secrets of seaweed, the potential of seaweed or marine algae, and how it can help save the planet. It is indeed an essential read for anyone curious about the extraordinary powers of seaweed to change the world. The seaweed revolution is a fresh hope for tomorrow.
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again:
Nature documentaries are my favourites and I would watch these few all over again!
● Into the Okavango
● Sustainable Seaweed Farming in Zanzibar
● Mama Rafiki
Websites / Podcasts you visit frequently: SHE SHAPES NATURE, a blog I wrote about the girls and women shaping our nature through a nature-based economy in Tanzania.
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: I am not a music individual, and I’m trying to avoid it in my life.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Zanzibar, Canada and, of course, the countryside of Tanzania mainland have left a mark on me.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow: Youth4Nature and Global Youth Biodiversity Network.
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Gender-responsive approaches in contribution to the objectives of the convention on biological diversity. Still a global challenge in policy and its implementation although it is already on the decision text as a stand-alone target 23 to validate the work, so we should keep an eye on it.
Events we should attend / Best places for networking (online or offline):
For those interested in meaningful networking, both online and offline, there are so many best places including Conferences of the Parties on Climate Change, Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on Desertification, Minamata Convention, International Youth Biodiversity Summit, African Youth Summit on Biodiversity and LinkedIn. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for valuable networking opportunities and the chance to meet some incredible individuals.
Impactful and relevant Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses or certifications:
Gender Equality, women’s empowerment and Leadership in the context of National and Biodiversity Planning and Reporting offered by Learning For Nature Learning For Nature
Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development offered by Learning For Nature
Communicating the value of biodiversity offered by Learning For Nature
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030:
Looking ahead to 2030, there are several reasons to remain optimistic about our future. As we are in 2024 today, time seems to fly, and before we know it, we'll be stepping into a new decade. One of the things I'm particularly concerned. It will be interesting to see the collective efforts and partnerships between individuals, NGOs, Governments, Private Sectors, Institutions, relevant stakeholders and the United Nations to create a more inclusive world, aligning with our national to the global agenda that will actually play out.
In some ways, I do feel like we are moving in the right direction towards greater inclusivity and understanding. But, as we all witness in this world all it takes is one person to do something and it's back to square one. I remain hopeful as we continue to go forward, we will continue making significant strides. My outlook is more of a 'glass half full' perspective, believing in the potential for positive transformative change and the role that each of us can play in shaping a better future.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030:
While we tend to lean towards optimism about our future, there are indeed aspects that fuel my pessimism, especially as we look towards 2030. The main source of my concern is the sheer scale of the challenges we face and the limited time we have to address them. With only six years left, the timeline feels daunting considering the ongoing global issues such as climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, pollution and waste that seem to impact every aspect of society.
The ambition of achieving the 2030 agenda for a more inclusive world with equality at its core is something we strive for every single day, but the practicality of it can feel overwhelming. My pessimism stems from questioning whether there are sufficient actionable steps in place and whether society at large is ready and willing to embrace the necessary changes. It's one thing to set ambitious goals; it's another to actually make them happen.
Also, while grassroots community involvement is highly important for this kind of transformation, I worry about whether communities worldwide are equipped, ready, or even willing to drive this transformative change. The path to inclusivity and equality requires collective effort and a joined direction, and right now, it seems like we're still figuring out how to come together for these common goals. So, while I'm hopeful, I'm also cautious about the reality of these ambitious plans.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today:
Being a leader is one thing, but stepping up as a regenerative leader is a completely different thing!
In my perspective, to truly fulfil this role, one must first and foremost be a team player. It's essential to go beyond surface-level interactions and genuinely seek to understand and learn from the varied lived experiences of those around you. This kind of leadership requires adopting an intersectional approach in all aspects of work, acknowledging and addressing the multiple sides and layers of an individual.
Regenerative leadership isn't a solo venture; it's about recognizing that you don't have all the answers and that strength lies in diversity and collaboration. A leader in this field should create an environment where teamwork is seen as essential to success. By bringing together a group of individuals with different perspectives, knowledge, skills, and experiences, a regenerative leader can drive meaningful change. It's about creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.
The Inspirator you are endorsing for a future edition is:
Hellena Sailas
The quote that inspires you:
“Protecting and restoring nature is good business. It generates value, builds resilience, and supports net Zero!” (Elizabeth Mrema)
Your quote that will inspire us:
