The SADC Secretariat says women police officers in Southern Africa remain chronically under-represented in campaigns to combat transnational organised crime.
Women leaders in policing are exploring barriers that hinder their progress in leadership at Swakopmund.
The Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation has gathered female leaders for an empowerment session.
“Few female police officers are nominated to participate in regional interventions to combat transnational organised crime, such as the anti-terrorism workshop, the Small Arms and Light Weapons, and iARMS. We need to protect women and girls from the scourge of transnational organised crime as well as involve, as much as we can, women in law enforcement in the fight against transnational organised crime. It is thus my strong conviction that this workshop is going to greatly enhance SARPCCO executive women’s knowledge and leadership skills in the fight against transnational organised crime,” said Simbarashe Manjera, Police Liason Officer at the SARPCCO-SADC Secretariat.
The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Joseph Shikongo, acknowledged the barriers that stand in the way of women’s progress in the ranks, such as gender biases, unequal opportunities, and societal expectations.
“Your task here is to identify these barriers and to find practical solutions to overcome them. We owe it not only to the women currently serving in our police forces and services but also to the future generations of women who will follow in their footsteps. Let us ensure that our efforts today result in a more equitable and inclusive environment where every woman with the potential to lead is given the opportunity to do so.”
Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus said women police officers are still faced with challenges of discrimination, mentorship, and the pressure of balancing their family and professional lives.
Theofelus urged the meeting to openly confront those issues, adding that technology presents an opportunity for women police officers to do a better job.
“This will require that we gain new skills and adapt to the times. We are faced with serious cyber threats, and as women leaders, we should take charge, face head-on these threats, and provide the necessary leadership to protect our people. Information and communication technologies can enhance law enforcement operations, from crime prevention and investigations to community policing. There are a myriad of opportunities for digital tools that improve data sharing, intelligence gathering, and response coordination across borders.”
The workshop will end on Friday.