ISLAMABAD: The National Police Bureau (NPB), with technical assistance from UN Women, launched the first-ever Gender-Responsive Policing Framework (the Framework) and Gender-Responsive Policing Unit (the Unit) in Islamabad on March 1, 2024, as part of its concerted efforts to improve gender responsiveness within the law enforcement sector in Pakistan. The Deliver Justice Project of the European Union provided funding for this project.
By giving provincial police departments the technical assistance they need to institutionalize gender responsiveness within their ranks, this recently formed Unit hopes to promote gender responsive policing throughout Pakistan. The establishment of this unit represents a significant advancement in giving women and other marginalized groups in society quick access to the legal system.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ehsan Sadiq, Director General of the National Police Bureau, emphasized the importance of this effort in improving gender responsive policing in Pakistan. He said, “This initiative will help us reshape policing in Pakistan and emphasize our commitment to creating a more effective and inclusive environment for all members of society.” one of the main reasons the National Police Bureau was established. He was very grateful for the joint efforts of the law enforcement community, UN Women, and the EU mission in promoting gender equality in the police.
Mr. Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting UN Women and the National Police Bureau in their efforts to advance gender-responsive policing in Pakistan, saying, “The EU commends the National Police Bureau’s efforts in advancing gender-responsive policing in Pakistan.” We’re excited to see how the GRPU advances gender equality in Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies. The European Union is unwavering in its resolve to back programs that advance gender parity, human rights, and the rule of law in Pakistan and other countries.
UN Women Country Representative Lansana Wonneh expressed gratitude to the National Police Bureau for a successful collaboration and stated: “Gender-sensitive services are essential to counter GBV.” The current data presents a dismal picture of women’s representation in the police force at all levels, so while he praised the efforts of all police forces, he also emphasized the need for more affirmative action to increase the number of women in law enforcement agencies, especially in leadership positions. He continued by saying that changing traditional policing is the only way to increase public confidence in public services.
He went on to say that GRPU would act as a center for educating law enforcement officers about gender equality. Additionally, it will track and gather information so that they can support gender-sensitive and responsive community policing.
A two-day consultative workshop was previously held in September 2023 by the National Police Bureau, with technical support from UN Women, with the goal of developing a Gender Responsive Policing Framework and empowering women’s police networks across the country as part of the EU-funded Rule of Law program. This program helps to facilitate women’s access to justice by supporting legislative changes and the development of law enforcement and justice sector personnel’ capacity to administer justice in a gender-responsive manner.
