Gender-sensitive policing: ‘Induct more women in police to stem crime’

International participants get ‘positive’ image of Pakistan at conference.

ISLAMABAD: It was not just a traditional shield that the international female police participants of the Gender Responsive Policing Conference were going home with but an altered image of the otherwise ‘dangerous’ Pakistan they see in the news.

At the concluding ceremony of the three day international conference, police officers from 20 countries parted ways with their counterparts in Pakistan.



“The discussion must not end here” said Ahsan Ghani, director general of the National Police Bureau, while addressing the participants. An array of key issues came under discussion during the conference in which presentations were given to participants about successful policing models in other countries keeping gender responsive policing at its base.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ghani said while 51 per cent of the total population comprises women, it was essential to increase the 0.96 per cent of women police officials.  “Whenever there is an adequate percentage of women in the police force, we have seen a reduction in corruption,” he said.



Women police officers are a reality and a necessity, he said, adding that “We need more women to end violence against women”.

He said the recommendations made by participants and what they share with their ministries back home would be shared with the interior ministry in Pakistan.

When asked about what the participants are taking back home from Pakistan, many replied with a smile and said “An altered impression of the country”.

Carlene York, president of the Australasian Council of Women and Policing from Sydney, Australia, said it was encouraging to see Pakistan and neighbouring countries express enthusiasm and commitment in stepping forward. “They are really motivated to ensure that the number of women in the police force increases,” said York.

Ursula Wichmann, senior chief superintendent from North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, said it was great to see that gender is still on the agenda, however, there was a need for political will.

“I take back a different picture” said Regikok from Netherlands. A member of the Global Network of Women Shelter, she said a greater coalition between shelter and police would improve the situation on ground.

Syeda Ghazala, the first female SHO in Karachi, had to wait for 20 years to get promoted. Ghazala said there was an increase in women taking up police as a career option. She said in her police station, an increase in the number of cases is being reported only because of her gender. “Women now come up to me and say they are not hesitant to approach the police station,” she said.

The conference provided opportunities to women police officers to take stock of the state of women in police, identify cultural and structural challenges that hinder gender reforms in the security sector and explore best practices for shared learning

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the Gender Responsive Policing Project, jointly implemented by the National Police Bureau and the Deutsche Geselleschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH funded by the German Federal Office.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2014.