Largest All-Women Expedition to Antarctic Ready to Set Off

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 18 October 2023

A diverse group of 188 women from around the world is preparing to embark on an extraordinary voyage to Antarctica in November. This monumental expedition is a collaborative mission, united by the common goal of championing the long-term sustainability of our planet.

Comprising scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians, and medical professionals (STEMM), these women will not only gain firsthand experience of one of the Earth's most precious ecosystems but also employ their collective expertise to advance research and influence legislation.

A global leadership program dedicated to promoting gender equality in STEMM fields and addressing the formidable challenges posed by climate change. The venture is set to depart from Argentina, with two separate voyages, drawing participants from 25 countries who are already actively driving change in the realm of sustainability and advocating for gender parity within STEMM.

Hailing from South Africa, pioneering participants include Gina Ziervogel, Director of the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI), and Nirvani Dhevcharran, Chief Technology Officer at the Foschini Group.

Their journey to Antarctica will be accompanied by Philista Malaki from Kenya, a Research Scientist at the National Museums of Kenya with a profound passion for biodiversity conservation management and avian research. Zimbabwe's representative, Moreangels Muchaneta Mbizah, Founder and Executive Director of Wildlife Conservation Action, brings a strong background in the intersection of conservation and community development to the mission.

Homeward Bound, with an ultimate mission of empowering 10,000 women in STEMM to assume leadership roles and contribute to policy-making for a more sustainable future by 2036, has provided these women with a comprehensive 12-month virtual leadership program. This initiative equips participants with the essential leadership skills and strategic capabilities needed for their transformative journey.

The Antarctic voyage itself is set to become an intense period of continuous learning, featuring lectures, workshops, and networking sessions. This will undoubtedly serve as a platform for these women to refine their leadership skills, ultimately influencing global change and contributing to the cause of sustainability.

Beyond the geographical voyage to Antarctica, this initiative serves as a powerful symbol of the essential role women play in STEMM fields and their profound impact on comprehending and addressing the planet's challenges. These women are at the forefront of a global effort to create a more equitable leadership landscape and steer the world toward a sustainable future.

The voyage is scheduled to commence on November 3, departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, aboard the vessel Ushuaia. The second expedition sets sail on November 12, departing from Puerto Madryn, Argentina, aboard the ship Island Sky. Both journeys are poised to make an indelible mark in the realms of global sustainability and gender equality within STEMM.

This journey to Antarctica provides a unique opportunity to witness the remote and pristine beauty of this continent while reflecting on the fragility of our planet and the urgent need for its protection. Homeward Bound's CEO, Pamela Sutton-Legaud, anticipates the women will translate their learnings into meaningful actions.

Gina Ziervogel, Nirvani Dhevcharran, Philista Malaki, and their fellow participants stand on the brink of a historic voyage. This journey will not only transform their lives but also make substantial contributions to the global drive for sustainability, gender equality, and the preservation of our planet's future.

These women, with their expertise spanning science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, are charting a transformative course to Antarctica. Their mission extends far beyond the icy realms of the southernmost continent - it is a mission to reshape the world's future for the better.