Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Women in Law Enforcement- Challenges and Opportunities By Iftikhar Ahmed, PSP Inspector General Police (Rtd) Executive Director Centre for Rule of Law and Police Studies(CRPS) Islamabad, Pakistan

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Introduction Traditional female role in society--- of help and assistance for Jobs like teaching, nursing, office work etc First law enforcement role as women guards in women prisons in 19 th century Role of social movements in attracting women towards law enforcement Female introduction in law enforcement in the sub continent before partition

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Pakistan Experience Socio-cultural and religious beliefs Democracy as a vehicle for women emancipation and gender mainstreaming Introduction of women in law enforcement Police : Women – alone Police Stations Motorway Police Immigration Airport Security Force (ASF) Anti Narcotics Force (ANF)

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Police First female officers in police in 50s Till 90s female presence scattered and highly inadequate First Women Police Station in So far 11 such police stations in the country ( Sindh 5, Punjab 3, KPK 2, Islamabad 1 ) Women officers not performing hard core policing functions like investigation, arrest, raids, interrogation Female officers strength is approx 4500 in all LEAs across the country of whom over 80% are in the rank of Constable

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Performance of the 1 st Women Police Station Registered 60 cases when established in 1994 and arrested 39 female and 52 male accused persons This number dropped to just ONE (1) case and arrest of 8 female accused in 2006 In 2011, these numbers have again risen to 20 cases and 35 female arrests. Average annual registration over last 18 years is 20 cases, which is not even 2 cases a month.

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Immigration, Airport Security Force and the Motorway Police Female officers in FIA/Immigration are 230 compared to 1854 male officers. Mostly at Immigration counters and none doing investigation work The Airport Security Force (ASF) is 8939 personnel, of which only 645 are female. Majority ; i.e. 413 are in the rank of Constable and only 02 are in the rank of Dy. Director The Motorway Police has 104 female officers against 3946 male officers

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Problem of Female Drug Users According to a study conducted of 4632 female drug users (FDUs ) in 13 cities, the highest number (1213 ) was in Karachi, followed by Lahore (593 ) and Faisalabad (511 ). The minimum number of drug users was reported in Larkana (44). 72% of the FDUs were between ages of 21 to 40, 66% illiterate, 60% married. Drug of choice- charas, bhang, heroin and synthetic drugs. Only 1.5% were IDUs. Out of the 1391 FDUs interviewed, 60 (4.3% ) were arrested for drug use/pushing. 22 admitted using drugs in jail.

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Year karachiLahorePeshawarQuettaRwpTotal: st to 15 Oct, Total: Conviction of Female Accused From Jan 2003 to Oct 2011

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Female Officers in ANF ANF has approximately 3000 personnel in five (5) Regional Directorates and 23 Police Stations in the country Against the 43 sanctioned posts of female officers, only 15 available besides the 02 on deputation. All in the rank of constable. At an average, 40 females have been convicted on drug charges annually over the last 9 years. No female investigating officer deals with the drug related issues/cases registered against the female offenders.

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Challenges Socio-cultural and religious gender biases confine the role of women– Such biases are not only in men, these also exist in the women themselves Women law enforcement officers lack authority in comparison to their male counterparts Women PSs merely holding or detention areas. Registration of cases not allowed in some of these Police Stations. Failure of female officers to create good impression on citizens as serious law enforcement individuals Hesitation on part of female officers to accept challenges of field assignments continued.....

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Challenges No incentives, motivation or rewards. Credit of genuine work taken by the male officers Serious issues pertaining to availability of appropriate/adequate willing female candidates for law enforcement jobs Boarding, lodging and transportation are serious discouraging issues Reporting and accountability of sexual harassment Inadequate representation of women at the policy and decision making levels to introduce structural changes

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Opportunities Democratic process and open media provides a great opportunity to break the socio-cultural and religious attitudes/taboos against women empowerment, both to the state and the civil society Law Enforcement Agencies can deal with gender bias through sustained media campaigns to encourage women not only to join but to play effective role in law enforcement College and university campuses could be targeted by serving female officers to become role models and mentors for the potential recruits Better and improved training of female officers will boost their confidence and enhance their perception not only in the eyes of the public but also in their own eyes continued.....

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Opportunities Female officers role in field assignments like patrolling, raids, arrests, investigation and prosecution can be enhanced to make them stand side by side with their male colleagues in the public eyes Investigation by female officers can enhance the comfort level of the female victims, reduce the human rights violations and enhance the positive image of the organization The natural advantage of being good communicators can be capitalized particularly where individuals need to be talked about in tense situations The government can induct more women in the governance structures and policy making levels of law enforcement

Centre For Rule of Law and Police Studies Any Questions Please