Fatima EL-AARABY

Fatima El-Aaraby is a Moroccan researcher, biodiversity advocate, and PhD candidate at Abdelmalek Essaadi University in Tetouan. Her doctoral research focuses on the distribution and conservation status of terrestrial mammals in Morocco, with an emphasis on monitoring, assessment, and strengthening conservation strategies in the face of climate and environmental challenges. Beyond academia, Fatima plays an active role in global biodiversity governance and advocacy. She currently serves as a Project Officer at the CBD Women’s Caucus, where she coordinates initiatives that amplify women’s leadership, strengthen gender-responsive approaches, and advance inclusive participation in international biodiversity policy processes, including the CBD COP negotiations. She is also a Research Assistant at CASCADE, contributing to interdisciplinary research on gender exchange project . In addition, Fatima holds the position of Youth Regional Professional Focal Point for Africa within the IUCN CEESP Commission, supporting knowledge exchange and youth engagement across the continent. As a committed youth leader, she is also a core member of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) international team, where she advocates for meaningful youth participation, intergenerational equity, and inclusive decision-making in biodiversity and climate policy. Her journey, rooted in the mountains of rural Morocco, reflects both academic excellence and a strong commitment to grassroots and global action. Through her research, policy work, and advocacy, Fatima bridges science, community perspectives, and international negotiations, striving to ensure that biodiversity conservation is both inclusive and impactful.