Ever Chinoda Wins Inaugural Women in Conservation Award

Getting yourTrinity Audioplayer ready…London, UK, 16 October 2025–Zimbabwean lawyer and activist, Ever Chinoda, was today awarded the inaugural Women in Conservation Award at a prestigious ceremony held in London.Widely celebrated for her groundbreaking work in using the law to protect wildlife, Chinoda has redefined what it means to be a conservationist in the 21st century. A lawyer, author, educator, and founder of the NGO Speak Out for Animals, Ever Chinoda has carved a new path that combines intellect, courage, and legal expertise to ensure animals have a voice in courtrooms and policies across Africa.The trophyThe award citation paid moving tribute to Chinoda’s multifaceted impact.“Ever is an author, a teacher, a founder, and more. But above all, she’s a woman. And being a woman, as many of us know, offers its share of challenges, or as I like to call them, opportunities for growth.”Many in the room nodded in recognition when the moment that galvanized Chinoda’s career was mentioned: the global outrage that followed the illegal killing of Cecil the lion in 2016. At the time, she was tasked with legal monitoring of the case. It became a defining moment for her.“She saw clearly that the law could be one of the most powerful tools to protect wildlife but only if it stood on solid evidence, knowledge, and principle,” the citation noted.A Legal Trailblazer for WildlifeIn response to the gaps she observed in the system, Chinoda founded Speak Out for Animals, an organization dedicated to protecting wildlife through legal frameworks. Under her leadership, it has trained lawyers, prosecutors, magistrates, investigators, and students in wildlife law and now operates in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and the United States.Her academic work is equally trailblazing. Chinoda introduced the first-ever wildlife law module in Africa, taught at both Great Zimbabwe University and the University of Zimbabwe. She is the author of several legal guides, including The Wildlife Legal Guide, My Life Law Code, and a rapid reference guide tailored for Zimbabwe.Her legal expertise has earned national and international recognition. In 2021, she was named Zimbabwe’s Best Corporate Lawyer and later recognized as one of the Top 100 Young African Conservation Leaders.“In a profession dominated by men, Ever has gone against the grain,” the award citation emphasized. “Her work has created an entirely new career path in conservation—one built on courage, intellect, and relentlessness.”A Voice of Gratitude and CollaborationTaking the stage to accept her award, Chinoda’s speech was marked by humility and a deep sense of collaboration:“I am grateful for this award as it is an affirmation that the work I do is important,” she said. “I want to thank the Government of Zimbabwe for the support from the Ministries of Environment, Justice, and Education, as these are the three ministries I work with.”She also extended gratitude to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Forestry Commission (FC), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for their consistent support and joint efforts over the past eight years.“These accomplishments have built momentum and contributed to this global recognition,” Chinoda added. “Zimbabwe is committed to wildlife conservation and has been successful in protecting its fauna. I am honored to contribute my legal expertise to these efforts and bring the award home.”Changing the Face of ConservationThe significance of the award extends beyond Chinoda’s individual success. It highlights a broader shift in conservation—a field historically dominated by men—toward greater inclusivity and gender equity.“The landscape of gender in conservation is evolving,” Chinoda noted. “We are seeing more women entering the field as rangers, investigators, lawyers, wildlife law officers, and ecologists. This is thanks to the government’s inclusive policies. Animals need passionate, honest, and consistent women to protect them too.”A Legacy BeginsIn honoring Chinoda, the award committee acknowledged that this was more than an individual accolade—it was the beginning of a legacy.“It’s one thing to follow a path,” the citation concluded. “It’s quite another to make one—especially when the bush is thick, the road is rough, and funding is, let’s just say, character-building.”Ever Chinoda dared to step off the well-worn path—and in doing so, carved out a new route for wildlife conservation, for women in law, and for future generations across the globe. As she takes this award home to Zimbabwe, she also carries a powerful message:Real change comes not from repeating what’s been done before, but from daring to do something different.

Getting yourTrinity Audioplayer ready…

London, UK, 16 October 2025–Zimbabwean lawyer and activist, Ever Chinoda, was today awarded the inaugural Women in Conservation Award at a prestigious ceremony held in London.

Source: Spiked Media