Spokesman Report
Islamabad: As part of its concerted efforts to enhance gender responsiveness within the law enforcement sector in Pakistan, 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 1 March 2024. This initiative has been funded by the European Union under its Deliver Justice Project.
This newly-established Unit is meant to facilitate gender responsive policing across Pakistan by providing technical support to provincial police departments to institutionalise gender responsiveness in their ranks. Launching of this Unit marks a giant leap towards provision of speedy access to justice to women and marginalised segments of society.
Director General National Police Bureau, Dr. Ehsan Sadiq, speaking on the occasion highlighted the significance of this initiative, advancing gender responsive policing in Pakistan. He added that, this initiative emphasize our commitment to creating a more inclusive and effective environment for all members of society and will help us reshape policing in Pakistan. A primary objective of establishment of National Police Bureau. He highly appreciated the collaborative efforts of UN Women, EU delegation and law enforcement sector in championing gender equality within Police.
Reiterating EU’s commitment to supporting National Police Bureau and UN Women’s efforts for promoting gender responsive policing in Pakistan, Mr. Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation at European UnionDelegation to Pakistan, said, “The EU commends the efforts of National Police Bureau in advancing gender-responsive policing in Pakistan. We look forward to witnessing the impact of GRPU in advancing gender equality in Pakistan’s law enforcement institutions. The EU remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote human rights, gender equality, and rule of law in Pakistan and around the world.”
Thanking National Police Bureau for a productive partnership, UN Women Country Representative, Lansana Wonneh, said: “gender-sensitive services are essential to counter GBV. He appreciated the efforts of all police forces and highlighted the need for taking more affirmative measures to increase the number of women in law enforcement agencies, especially in leadership positions, as the current data paints a bleak picture of women’s representation in the police force at all levels. He added that public trust in public services can be enhanced only by transforming conventional policing.
He added that GRPU would serve as a hub for training law enforcement personnel to uphold gender equality principles. It will also monitor and collect data that they are able to promotegender sensitive and responsive community policing across Pakistan.”
Earlier,in September 2023,National Police Bureau with technical assistance from UN Women, had organised a two-day consultative workshop aimed at activating women police networks nationwide and develop Gender Responsive Policing Framework, under EU-funded Rule of Law programme. This Programme supports policy reforms and capacity building of law enforcement and justice sector officials for gender responsive dispensation of justice and easing women’s access to justice.