Téné Maimouna Zoungrana is a remarkable woman making waves in an industry dominated by men. Hailing from Burkina Faso, she serves as a prison officer with the UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), where she has shattered gender stereotypes and become a beacon of inspiration for women in the corrections field.
As the Coordinator of the Security Teams at the Ngaragba Central Prison, the largest and most notorious prison in the Central African Republic, Zoungrana oversees critical operations in a challenging environment. Her role involves training and coordinating rapid intervention activities, supporting national prison staff in incident and crisis management, and introducing innovative training modules into the national curriculum of CAR’s prison administration.
“In my professional environment, women are often placed second or ignored due to stereotypical perceptions that men are better suited for the job,” says Zoungrana. “I had the courage and strength to break down these barriers and assert myself confidently in this field.”
Her perseverance and commitment have not gone unnoticed. Zoungrana’s dedication has not only earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues but has also inspired other women to pursue careers in non-traditional roles within the corrections field.
“To help increase the number of women deployed in non-traditional roles, I organize team meetings where I sensitize women to take an active part in tasks considered better suited for men,” she explains. “I invite women to participate in training that aims to give them opportunities and allow them into spaces that were once considered men’s domain.”
Zoungrana’s efforts have yielded tangible results. She has recruited and trained 300 civilian professional prison officers, including five women, who are now part of the prison administration’s rapid intervention team. Her work as the Commander of the Rapid Response Team of MINUSCA’s Corrections Unit is changing the perception of women in the field of security.
“Being nominated for the Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers is a great honor and motivates me to redouble my commitment,” she says. “Together, with all the other women pioneers, we have a responsibility to carry the torch and break down the gender stereotypes, prejudices, and barriers against women in the field of corrections and security.”
Téné Maimouna Zoungrana’s story proves the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. She is not just breaking barriers; she is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse workforce in the corrections field.
