Police system in Pakistan works on a command and control model, where men dominate the overall structure.
MIANWALI: The police system in Pakistan works on a command and control model, where men dominate the overall structure. The system needs serious attention in order to accommodate women in the police force. The present structure of the police department is not providing a level playing field for women, which prevents their recruitment in the department. Women, who are already part of the police force, have not been fully empowered. This lack of empowerment is a great hurdle in the way of these female officers as they are often not in the position to take certain actions. We need to strengthen our women police officers by providing them with proper training, which will help bring them in the mainstream of the law-enforcement mechanism and will also help them work independently of their male counterparts. There is also a need for formulating policies regarding the working of women police, which will help them become more vibrant members of this department.
If the women police are fully empowered, it will also have a positive impact on society, inspiring more women to join the police department. Also, women police officers will be in a better position to deal with women-related issues and crimes that our society faces on a regular basis. Despite all the challenges that women officers face, they are still doing a remarkable job under the circumstances. However, it is important to create a more supportive environment for them so that they can realise their full potential.
Muhammad Uzair Niazi
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2012.
