With few role models to look up to, need felt to have more women in Police Dept

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 18

Women police personnel face stereotypes, lack of logistical support and uncooperative attitude of colleagues in their profession. Besides, with women constituting about 3 per cent of the police force in Punjab, they have very few role models to look up to.

Experts from diverse fields, including the police force, discussed the dynamics of women empowerment during the women police conference on “empowerment and self-development” today. It was organised by the Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana, in association with FICCI flo and the Police Public Foundation.

“Glass ceiling” and “sexual harassment at workplace” are roadblocks to the empowerment of women, said experts.

Discussing the issue of glass ceiling in the police force, ACP (HQ) Rupinder Kaur Bhatti said there were various reasons for it. “The police profession is male-dominated. Many states do not have any positive discrimination (reservation) for women in the police force. Punjab is one such state.”

Citing instances of stereotyping, the experts said women were rarely appointed as SHOs, munshis, investigating officers (except in rape and marital discord cases). Of the 374 SHOs in the state, there are only six women SHOs.

To break the glass ceiling, it is imperative for women to improve their attitude, skill, self-esteem and confidence, and also be ready to recognise an opportunity and stop being afraid of failure. “Cyber (space) is gender neutral. Women police personnel can be trained in computer and IT, apart from imparting them training in investigation and record maintenance,” said Bhatti, adding that women are better equipped at diffusing (tense) situations.

The experts suggested transportation facilities during night for women police personnel, female barracks at all police stations, washrooms for females in police stations and crèche facility. The experts also stressed on gender sensitisation of male counterparts.

IG Anita Punj, Director of the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, said sexual harassment at workplace had its roots in power equation. Women are reluctant to report a case of sexual harassment as they are apprehensive that their complaint will be trivialised. The women also have a fear of reprisal. In her interactive session with the women police personnel, she discussed the salient features of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. Punj said under the act it was mandatory for all organisations to constitute a grievance redressal committee, called the Internal Complaints Committee.