Afghanistan’s first female police chief

By: Lally Snow
NATO Channel

KABUL: (MEP) – Colonel Jamila Bayaz is the first female police chief in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. In the build-up to the elections, she discusses her journey, the challenges she faces and why it is important for women to join the police in Afghanistan.

In a personal interview Colonel Jamila Bayaz, Kabul’s first female police chief, talks about life in her new role and why it is important for women to join the police in order for Afghanistan to progress into the future.

Colonel Jamila Bayaz, said, “Everyone knows that the Taliban regime was a dark time in the history of this country. They closed the schools and all the women were forced to stay inside. I was among these women.”

Fifty-year-old-mother of five Jamila Bayaz is part of a new wave of Afghan women breaking boundaries.

“Right now I am the commander of Police District One. We have our problems in this district, the same as any other district. The problems exist in this district because this area has a high population, lots of people live here, also this is known to be a very commercial part of the city,” said Colonel Bayaz.

“When I became commander, the first people to support me were my family, especially my husband and my children,” Colonel Bayaz said, adding that, “We have 2,000 women as part of the police force in Kabul and the provinces, but it is the priority of the Ministry of Interior to increase the number to over 10,000.”

She also said, “Policewomen play an important role in the force. Their main duties are crime-fighting, solving family feuds and searching houses.”

“Knowledge plays a vital role in this position. If someone has great knowledge and experience, they will understand their role in the best way possible,” Colonel Bayaz added.

“There is no doubt that there are enemies of Afghanistan. Of course there are enemies and threats, but if you set yourself a target, you should have courage. If you are afraid, you will fail,” Colonel Bayaz said.

She said, “My job is to work for the people and that’s why I chose to be in the police. As long as I am part of the police, I will keep doing my job.”