Fostering Gender Equality Within Law Enforcement

News Desk

Islamabad: There is a pressing need to make substantial strides in women’s empowerment within the policing domain.

By empowering women within the police force, we are not only advancing gender equality but also enhancing the overall effectiveness of law enforcement, said United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Country Director Imran Khan

The USIP, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), has announced the culmination of the three-year $3.5 million Police Awam Saath Saath (PASS) Program.

This program is aimed at enhancing the recruitment, retention and empowerment of women police officers in Pakistan, and is a milestone in promoting gender equity within law enforcement.

Through gender-informed policing safety for women in Pakistan has taken a stride forward. Women are now raising their voices against violence, feeling more secure & protected. Join us in our journey to build a safer community together. @PASS #GenderInformedPolicing #SafetyForAll pic.twitter.com/ZsSL2NIYKL

— Police Awam Saath Saath (PASS) (@PoliceAwam) August 28, 2023

Notable accomplishments of the PASS program include the revision and upgradation of training courses at the National Police Academy, an increase in women’s representation in the police force by over 20 per cent in both Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan through extensive support and training for women police aspirants.

The program also includes the establishment of Women Police Councils, the training of 1800 women police officers in Punjab as victim support officers, the training of trans-victim support officers from 35 districts in Punjab on trauma-informed policing, as well as the development of gender-sensitive policies and support mechanisms for women officers.

Speaking at an event, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer reiterated the commitment of the United States to support efforts that promote inclusivity and justice. We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you to increase the number of female officers, elevate their status, and champion our common cause of peace, security, and justice for all, Andrew added.

Speakers underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in fostering positive change; these efforts involve amplifying the recruitment, retention, and capacity development of women police officers and employing a citizen-centric lens to policing.

The event allowed USIP, INL, local partners, various law enforcement agencies and the government to share lessons and best practices over the last few years that played a pivotal role in integrating gender perspectives and mainstreaming gender.

Participants exchanged knowledge, strengthened existing partnerships, and paved the way for expanding the footprint of INL-funded USIP programming across civilian law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, the event featured video presentations showcasing the inspiring stories of women police officers and their contributions to the community’s safety and security.