Let’s Ensure Central Role For Women In The Police

Context: There is a need to shift from tokenism and ensure women a central rather than a peripheral role in the police.

Need for a gender-diverse police force: enhanced role of women in police

• To create a safe and secure environment for women: As women cops are more effective in preventing gender violence and crime against children.
• To enhance wellbeing of others: As women are more sensitive to the sufferings of others and have greater concern for the well-being of others. 
• To perform the unique role of women:
  • They are used in law and order situations involving women dealing with victims of sexual assault- as mandated by Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
  • They can better handle juvenile delinquents.
  • Women have been a pillar of resolute strength during Covid crisis.

Concerns related to representation of women in police: 

• Low representation: Only 13% of total state police force is women.
  • Except Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, all other states have women representation below 10%.
  • Lack of women in leadership and cutting-edge positions.
  • Marginal role in overall law enforcement.
• Gender-specific issues are overlooked and neglected: Infrastructure development for women has not kept pace with the growth in their numbers in the police. For e.g. - 
  • Lack of crèches and Lack of regular medical examinations.
  • Lack of gender-sensitive training- Training modules still follow old male dominated versions.
• Stereotyping by their male colleagues: Their abilities are doubted and they have to often put up with rude or supercilious behaviour or remarks. 

Conclusion: 

The role of women in the police is set to increase and one is reminded of a saying by Victor Hugo, the famous French author, “No force on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.”