Government funding for biodiversity in Asia and the Pacific is a mixed picture. While countries like Australia, China, and India have increased investments, the region still faces a staggering $100–150 billion annual biodiversity financing gap. With economic stagnation, rising debt, and competing priorities like public health and education, where does nature fit into government agendas?

One potential solution lies in women’s leadership. Studies show that when women lead conservation efforts, success rates improve—boosting solidarity, rule compliance, and ecosystem regeneration. Could greater investment in women be the key to bridging the biodiversity funding gap, especially as conservation budgets remain stagnant? And what barriers still prevent women from taking leadership roles in this fight?

To explore this, we’re joined by Mrinalini Rai, director of Women for Biodiversity and a globally recognized advocate for gender equality, conservation, and Indigenous rights. She shares insights on how empowering women can drive better biodiversity outcomes and what’s at stake if we fail to act.