By working with children, students, tourists, and Aqaba’s community, Bdour gets to interact with a diverse group of people. In her role, Bdour Abu Bader takes on the vital responsibility of raising environmental awareness. She interacts with both visitors and the community, in the reserve and across social media to inspire change. It is her mission to raise awareness about environmental conservation and to instill a deep commitment for sustainability, highlighting that small actions can make a difference. She takes particular pride in engaging with children, whose curiosity and openness inspire her.

"Children often believe in me and my expertise, and I hope to inspire them as I was once inspired. When I was in sixth grade, my school visited the reserve, and now I am here, protecting it," she recalls. "I hope I can spark the same passion in them that brought me to where I am today."

Of course, her role as a ranger comes with challenges too. She interacts with diverse groups, including children, which requires her to adapt her language to each unique audience. At first, this required practice, as she learned to adjust her explanations to ensure even the youngest visitors could understand and engage with the importance of the Aqaba Marine Reserve. Now, she can confidently tailor her language to resonate with every visitor, which fuels her with pride.

The story of Bdour is one of true dedication and empowerment, not just for herself but for all women in Jordan. She confirms that the power of women in environmental work is unique, and she envisions a bright future in which more women confidently pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.

"Women bring a special energy to our work. We are passionate, dedicated, and capable of driving real change. I want to see more women in leadership roles, as rangers, and as decision-makers. We need to believe in ourselves and support each other so that one day, we won’t need to rely on others to succeed," Bdour shares.

In the future, Bdour hopes that more women will succeed in roles traditionally assigned to men in Jordan. It is her dream to see a world where women are confident in their abilities, where gender stereotypes and biases have no longer detrimental impact on women’s personal and professional lives, and environmental protection is a shared responsibility.

"In the next decade, I hope women will be leading in all sectors, especially in environmental protection. I want to see more women empowered to protect the world around them, just as I have," she says.

Bdour believes that UNDP Jordan has given her a powerful platform to amplify her voice for environmental awareness. She is grateful for the opportunities she has gained through this initiative and feels empowered to make a lasting impact. In her eyes, UNDP Jordan isn’t just supporting her work as a ranger, its empowering Jordanian women across the country by “demonstrating the opportunities that are available to them”. For the future she hopes that this support continues.  

As Bdour continues her work, she leaves a lasting influence, not only as the first female ranger in the Aqaba Marine Reserve but as an advocate for the environment and for gender equality. Through her dedication and drive, she proves that the future of conservation can be inclusive and empowering for all.