Afghan gov’t must do extra to keep new policewomen: Oxfam

By CCTV correspondent Courtney Body

KABUL: (MEP) – By way international forces pull out of Afghanistan, the country is busy building up its security forces. But according to a report from Oxfam International, the government must do a lot more to protect the growing number of women signing up.

These recruits have signed up to serve their country, in a country where their service is not always accepted. For in Afghanistan, a country where many women are not allowed to work, do not know their basic rights, and where men and women are separated in public, the people whose job it is to uphold the law and protect the population are critical.

While the new recruits here are mostly young women starting out in their careers, this woman fought, and waited, for her chance to sign up.

“I have wanted to join the police for a long time. At first my family would not let me, but finally I made them understand and agree.” Police Recruit said.

As the recent Oxfam International report noted, only 1% of the entire Afghan police force are female. As the security situation still remains bleak, and violence against women is epidemic, the protect of women, by women, is essential. Without them, women and girls will have almost no one to go to for justice.

Yet once a woman signs up for the police force, the report says many are faced with lack of proper facilities, harassment, and for some, sexual threats.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior reacted to the report, saying that they have studied it and will look into Oxfam’s recommendations. They agreed that having female police was critical, yet on camera did not address the issue of the physical threats against them.

“We have taken many actions in respect to making sure they have a better environment, that’s our objective. And we have also invested in some programs for new buildings and office for the females, the female police. And we strongly believe that now is the time to have more female police in the MOI.” Sediq Sediqi, Spokesman of Ministry of Interior said.

Having females in the police ranks is essential for the security of Afghanistan’s women and girls, and also in the development of the country as a whole. Oxfam calls on the Afghan government, and the international donors, to make sure this happens now.

Female police are not just important for providing security here, they will also be critical in ensuring that the upcoming presidential elections are fair, and that half of the population gets a chance to vote.