What is need of Women Police in Police Department (?).

By; Pallishree Dash

Project Coordinator

Police Reform Project, CSNR

The inclusion of women in police departments is essential for various reasons. Firstly, it promotes diversity and gender representation, promoting a more balanced and inclusive law enforcement approach. Secondly, women police officers often possess unique communication and de-escalation skills, which can be invaluable in diffusing tense situations and minimising the use of force. Thirdly, having women in the police force enables law enforcement wings to better address crimes and issues that predominantly affect women, such as domestic violence and sexual harassment. Additionally, women officers can build trust and rapport with female victims, encouraging them to come forward and report crimes. Their presence challenges traditional gender stereotypes and fosters a culture of equality within police forces. Overall, integrating women in police departments enhances operational effectiveness, improves community relations, and contributes to a more holistic and sensitive approach to law enforcement.

History of Women Police in India?

The history of women police recruitment in India traces a transformative journey. Initially, women’s participation in Police force was limited, with sporadic appointments mainly for tasks involving women and children. However, in the 1970s, there was a gradual shift as the need for female officers in various roles became evident. The first all-women police station was established in 1973 in Chennai, setting a precedent.

The 1980s marked increased efforts towards gender diversity in the police force. States like Maharashtra and Delhi initiated the recruitment of women in larger numbers, albeit primarily for specific cases. It wasn’t until the 1990s that a significant expansion of women’s roles within the police force was seen. The recruitment process began to incorporate more women officers, and they were gradually integrated into various departments.

In the 21st century, the focus on women’s inclusion gained momentum. The government and police organizations recognized the importance of women officers in handling sensitive cases, promoting community engagement, and fostering a more balanced and empathetic approach to law enforcement. Special recruitment drives were launched to attract and train more women officers, leading to a steady increase in their representation across ranks and regions.

Today, the recruitment of women in the Indian police force continues to evolve, emphasizing their vital role in maintaining law and order, ensuring women’s safety, and fostering a more inclusive and diverse approach to policing. Despite the progress, women in Indian police forces have faced challenges related to gender bias, unequal opportunities, and harassment. Efforts are ongoing to address these issues and create a more inclusive and gender-sensitive working environment for female officers.

Challenges Faced by Women Police Personnel in Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh

(From the study conducted by Centre for the Sustainable use of Natural and Social Resources)

CSNR is a Bhubaneswar-based organization, accorded Special Consultative Status with the United Nations  Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), working towards a people-friendly and accountable policing system) has conducted a Study on the Challenges of Female Police personnel in 4 States- Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. The study was conducted through analysis of information gathered from the Right to Information Act, 2005 and personal interviews with police officials, Pre-consultation workshops etc. in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha states.

The objective behind studying women’s police issues is to understand and address the challenges, opportunities, and experiences that women face in the Police Force, Promote gender equity within police forces by identifying and rectifying gender-based discrimination, bias, and barriers, Improve recruitment and retention of women in police force by addressing factors that may discourage them from pursuing or staying in such careers, Address safety concerns and promote the well-being of women officers who may face unique risks in the field, Inform the development of policies and procedures that are inclusive and supportive of women in Police department, Ultimately, studying on women police issues seeks to create a more inclusive, effective, and equitable environment that benefits both officers and the communities they serve.

Study Findings:

There were 115 respondents were from Bihar, 85 from Chhattisgarh, 53 from Jharkhand and 75 from Odisha out of 328 respondents. Following are some findings in this study:

Overall 77.74 % responded that clean washrooms are not available. 87.82% from Bihar, 67.05% from Chhattisgarh, 96.22% from Jharkhand and 61.33% from Odisha sample said that clean washrooms are not available.

Overall 82.62% respond that resting room (for change clothes & relax) is not available. 80.86% from Bihar, 76.47% from Chhattisgarh, 79.24% from Jharkhand and 94.66% from Odisha respondents gave the opinion that a rest room is not available.

Overall 68.90% respond that transportation facility during odd hours is not available. 72.17% from Bihar, 78.82% from Chhattisgarh, 35.84% from Jharkhand and 76% said that transportation facility during odd hours is not available.

Overall 86.89% said that crèche facility is not available. 86.95% from Bihar, 84.70% from Chhattisgarh, 84.90% from Jharkhand and 90.66% from Odisha respondents said that crèche facility is not available.

Overall 64.02% have not been allotted quarters.91.30% from Bihar, 48.23% from Chhattisgarh, 60.37% from Jharkhand and 42.66% from Odisha have not been allotted quarters.

Overall 22.51% of the total respondents believe that male colleagues sometimes possess patriarchal attitude. 28.70% from Bihar, 26.22% from Chhattisgarh, 13.21% from Jharkhand and 5.33% from Odisha respondents believe that male colleagues sometimes possess patriarchal attitude.

Overall 56.098% respondents think that police department is a good place to work whereas 22.87% think otherwise.

Bihar- 62.61% of the total respondents think that police department is a good place to work whereas 13.04% think otherwise.

Chhattisgarh- 51.76% of the total respondents think that police department is a good place to work whereas 20% think otherwise.

Jharkhand- 75.47% of the total respondents think that police department is a good place to work whereas 20.75% think otherwise.

Odisha- 37.33% of the total respondents think that police department is a good place to work whereas 42.66% think otherwise.

Overall 35.37% respondents said they work from 8-10 hrs, 32.93% work 10-15 hrs, 21.04 % work more than 15hrs. Only 6.09% said it depends on type of work.

Bihar- 26.95% respondents said they work from 8-10 hrs, 31.30% work 10-15 hrs, 28.69 % work more than 15hrs. Only 13.04% said it depends on type of work.

Chhattisgarh- 31.76% respondents said they work from 8-10 hrs, 60% work 10-15 hrs, 4.70 % work more than 15hrs. Only 3.52% said it depends on type of work.

Jharkhand- 33.96% respondents said they work from 8-10 hrs, 1.88% work 10-15 hrs, 49.05 % work more than 15hrs. Only 11.32% said it depends on type of work.

Odisha—53.33% respondents said they work from 8-10 hrs, 26.66% work 10-15 hrs, 8% work more than 15hrs. Only 12% said it depends on type of work.

Sexual harassment-4.87% of total respondents encountered sexual harassment at different junctures of their work life. 4.35% from Bihar, 10.59% from Chhattisgarh, 1.89% from Jharkhand and 4.35% from Odisha respond that encountered sexual harassment at different junctures of their work life.

70.73% do not aware regarding procedures to lodge complain against sexual harassment or anything knows about Internal Complaint committee. 66.09% from Bihar , 73% from Chhattisgarh , 83.02% from Jharkhand and 66.67% from Odisha do not know about Internal Complaint Committee(ICC).

Overall 35.36% women police personnel expressed that they face multiple problems during their monthly periods. 28.35% women police personnel experience various types of pain like stomach pain, leg and back pain, weakness etc.21.34% women shared the woes they experience related to the difficulty in changing pads as a consequence of unavailability of clean toilets, traffic duty, Law and order duty and during the tour.14.93% police women, said that they suffer from heavy bleeding and staining of uniforms due to the monthly period.

Bihar- 60.86% women police personnel expressed that they face multiple problems during their monthly periods. 11.30% women police personnel experience various types of pain like stomach pain, leg and back pain, weakness etc.16.52% women shared the woes they experience related to the difficulty in changing pads as a consequence of unavailability of clean toilets, traffic duty, Law and order duty and during the tour.11.30% police women, said that they suffer from heavy bleeding and staining of uniforms due to the monthly period.

Chhattisgarh- 25.88% women police personnel expressed that they face multiple problems during their monthly periods. 20% women police personnel experience various types of pain like stomach pain, leg and back pain, weakness etc.29.41% women shared the woes they experience related to the difficulty in changing pads as a consequence of unavailability of clean toilets, traffic duty, Law and order duty and during the tour.24.70% police women, said that they suffer from heavy bleeding and staining of uniforms due to the monthly period.

Jharkhand-7.54% women police personnel expressed that they face multiple problems during their monthly periods. 28.30% women police personnel experience various types of pain like stomach pain, leg and back pain, weakness etc.39.62% women shared the woes they experience related to the difficulty in changing pads as a consequence of unavailability of clean toilets, traffic duty, Law and order duty and during the tour.24.52% police women, said that they suffer from heavy bleeding and staining of uniforms due to the monthly period.

Odisha-26.66% women police personnel expressed that they face multiple problems during their monthly periods. 64% women police personnel experience various types of pain like stomach pain, leg and back pain, weakness etc.6.66% women shared the woes they experience related to the difficulty in changing pads as a consequence of unavailability of clean toilets, traffic duty, Law and order duty and during the tour.2.66% police women, said that they suffer from heavy bleeding and staining of uniforms due to the monthly period.

Overall 40.55% gave their opinion that there is need of sanitary pad dispenser near traffic posts/police stations and police offices. 11.30% from Bihar, 40% from Chhattisgarh,43.40% from Jharkhand and 84% from Odisha told that  there is need of sanitary pad dispenser near traffic posts/police stations and police offices.

Overall 11.89% told that public misbehavior towards women police. 6.96% from Bihar, 24.71% from Chhattisgarh, 16.98% from Jharkhand and 1.33% from Odisha.22.86% said that they are not equally treated as male colleagues. 29.57% from Bihar, 16.47% from Chhattisgarh, 16.98% from Jharkhand and 24% from Odisha.

At last, the final remark is that Government of these states promoted women police recruitment reflects the broader evolution of women’s roles in society and their integration into traditionally male-dominated professions. While there have been significant achievements, there is still work to be done to achieve full gender equality within the law enforcement sector.