Women and policing

Strengthening the participation of women in policing and integrating a gender perspective in all aspects of law enforcement enhances safety and promotes more sustainable security for all. A police service that is representative of the community it serves is more approachable and trusted, and so more effective in both preventing and combating crime. The community’s reporting of crime and co-operation with police are likely to improve, with both men and women feeling comfortable to engage with police, for example when a female victim of sexual violence can report to a female officer.

The work of the Transnational Threats Department on women and policing includes both promoting the equal participation of women in policing and increasing the responsiveness of policing to women and their particular security needs. The Department supports participating States in introducing and strengthening gender-sensitive approaches to recruitment, training, retention and career development within the police, ensuring that women have equal opportunities to build careers in law enforcement. It also assists countries to address the specific security needs of women and girls, for example by promoting gender-sensitive responses to gender-based violence.