Over 700 female officers convened for the 6th ‘Police Women Convention,’ where they were challenged to uphold virtues of discipline and selfless service, as well as be ambassadors of women empowerment and gender equality.
Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana relayed the message on March 3, at this year’s convention held in Kigali under the theme “Enhancing Women Participation for Gender Equality.”
“In only 14 years of existence, Rwanda National Police has a force made up of 20% female officers. But the most important factor is not just the growth of numbers, but the tireless work they do to ensure that Rwanda is safe and secure,” Minister Harerimana said.
“As officers, respect the uniform. Make Rwandans understand that they can trust you at all times; that you are the overseers of justice in society. The way you conduct yourselves represents the way RNP is perceived, so you must be disciplined at all times.”
In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, acknowledged that the role of female Police Officers is crucial in the policing strategies at RNP and asked them to even work harder in helping to solve society challenges.
He noted that the performance of Rwandan female Police officers on the international scene in peacekeeping has also been exceptional with high level of discipline and efficiency – while some of them have also been recognized for their outstanding work.
“Through this convention, you are obliged to reflect on the work you have done so far, find the gaps and their solutions, as well as recommendations on how to improve the entire Police force. As a team, we shall ensure that our goals are reached,” IGP Gasana noted.
Superintendent Goretti Mwenzangu, the Director of Gender Promotion at RNP, who spoke on behalf of female officers, expressed gratitude to the government and the force in particular for the efforts to “elevate women to the status that they deserve” and for implementing gender policies from the grassroots in the Rwandan society.
“Women have faced so many challenges in the past and were always overlooked; even those that performed well were never recognized for promotion,” she observed.
“Now it is a fair ground; everyone is assessed on their performance, while there is a deliberate effort at RNP to ensure that women are empowered to rise through the ranks. This is an initiative that we appreciate, and as women officers, we have pledged to be patriots and protect our country against any injustices and crimes,” she added.
The event was also attended by a representative of One-UN Rwanda, Nadine Rugwe, who pointed out the importance of RNP women officers’ serving in UN Peacekeeping missions. She commended them for being good ambassadors of Rwanda and promoting home-grown solutions in their mission areas.
Rwanda was the first country to deploy a contingent composed of only females in peacekeeping and currently among the countries with the highest number female police peacekeeper in UN missions.
Rose Rwabuhihi, the Chief Gender Monitor reminded officers to always serve as role models to women by following up cases related to gender-based violence and deliver justice to the vulnerable.
The annual event brings together female Police officers to deliberate on how to solve issues affecting them in their day-to-day duties.
Currently, female officers comprise of 20 per cent of the total force, up from 14 per two years ago. Police intended to increase the percentage to 21 percent by the end of 2015 as well as by 30 percent by 2018.
RNP
UM– USEKE.RW
