Rough Roads to Equality WOMEN POLICE in SOUTH ASIA
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CHRI 2015 Women Police in South Asia | 2015 working for the practical realisation of human rights in the countries of the Commonwealth 01 Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Th e Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, non-partisan, international non-governmental organisation, mandated to ensure the practical realisation of human rights in the countries of the Commonwealth. In 1987, several Commonwealth professional associations founded CHRI. Th ey believed that while the Commonwealth provided member countries a shared set of values and legal principles from which to work and provided a forum within which to promote human rights, there was little focus on the issues of human rights within the Commonwealth. CHRI’s objectives are to promote awareness of and adherence to the Commonwealth Harare Principles, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognised human rights instruments, as well as domestic instruments supporting human rights in Commonwealth Member States. Th rough its reports and periodic investigations, CHRI continually draws attention to progress and setbacks to human rights in Commonwealth countries. In advocating for approaches and measures to prevent human rights abuses, CHRI addresses the Commonwealth Secretariat, Member Governments and civil society associations. Th rough its public education programmes, policy dialogues, comparative research, advocacy and networking, CHRI’s approach throughout is to act as a catalyst around its priority issues. * Th e nature of CHRI’s sponsoring organisations allows for a national presence and an international network. Th ese professionals can steer public policy by incorporating human rights norms into their own work and act as a conduit to disseminate human rights information, standards and practices. Th ese groups also bring local knowledge, can access policy makers, highlight issues, and act in concert to promote human rights. CHRI is based in New Delhi, India, and has offi ces in London, UK and Accra, Ghana. International Advisory Commission: Yashpal Ghai - Chairperson. Members: Alison Duxbury, Wajahat Habibullah, Neville Linton, Vivek Maru, Edward Mortimer, Sam Okudzeto and Maja Daruwala Executive Committee (India): Wajahat Habibullah – Chairperson. Members: B. K. Chandrashekar, Nitin Desai, Sanjoy Hazarika, Kamal Kumar, Poonam Muttreja, Ruma Pal, Jacob Punnoose, A P Shah and Maja Daruwala - Director. Executive Committee (Ghana): Sam Okudzeto – Chairperson. Members: Akoto Ampaw, Yashpal Ghai, Wajahat Habibullah, Neville Linton, Kofi Quashigah, Juliette Tuakli and Maja Daruwala - Director. Executive Committee (UK): Neville Linton – Chairperson, Richard Bourne (Acting Chair), Clare Doube (Vice Chair). Members: Meenakshi Dhar, Joanna Ewart-James, Frances Harrison, Sadakat Kadri, Sashy Nathan, Katherine O’Byrne, Rita Payne, Joe Silva, Michael Stone. * Commonwealth Journalists Association, Commonwealth Legal Education Association and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. ISBN: 978-93-81241-17-2 © Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, 2015. Material from this report may be used, duly acknowledging the source. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative CHRI Headquarters, New Delhi CHRI London CHRI Africa, Accra 55A, Th ird Floor Room No. 219 House No.9, Siddharth Chambers School of Advanced Study Samora Machel Street Kalu Sarai, South Block, Senate House Asylum Down, New Delhi 110 017 Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU Opposite Beverly Hills Hotel India United Kingdom Near Trust Towers, Accra, Tel: +91 11 4318 0200 Tel: +44(0) 207 664 4860 Ghana Fax: +91 11 2686 4688 Fax: +44(0) 207 862 8820 Tel/Fax: +233 302 971170 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.humanrightsinitiative.org Rough Roads To Equality WOMEN POLICE IN SOUTH ASIA Head of Research and Lead Author Aideen Gilmore Research and Writing Team Devyani Srivastava and Aditi Datta (India, Maldives, Bangladesh), Gulmina Ahmad Bilal, Sundas Syed and Yahya Ahmad (Pakistan) Edited by Maja Daruwala and Devika Prasad i This report has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders. Rough Roads To Equality ii WOMEN POLICE IN SOUTH ASIA Contents Foreword iv Acknowledgements v Aim and Methodology 1 1. Women in Police: Overview 7 Introduction 7 Value of Women in Policing 8 Increasing Access to Justice for Women in Society 11 Barriers and Challenges faced by Women in Policing 13 Making the Change 16 2. Bangladesh 19 Overview of Police Organisation 20 Legal and Policy Framework 23 Experiences and Challenges 26 Conclusions & Recommendations 38 3. India 43 Overview of Police Organisation 44 Legal and Policy Framework 49 Experiences and Challenges 55 Conclusions & Recommendations 76 4. Maldives 81 Overview of Police Organisation 82 Legal and Policy Framework 88 Experiences and Challenges 91 Conclusions & Recommendations 105 5. Pakistan 109 Overview of Police Organisation 110 Legal and Policy Framework 119 Experiences and Challenges 122 Conclusions & Recommendations 136 Annexure Survey questionnaire administered to women police (Bangladesh, India and Maldives) 140 iii Foreword For over two decades CHRI has worked for better policing across the Commonwealth most particularly in South Asia and East Africa. Policing in the Commonwealth has much in common – both good and bad. On the positive side there is a great deal of good policing which offers good practice and easy sharing. On the negative side it has to be said that too many regimes cling to outdated structures and functioning of colonial policing that are at odds with the aspirations of modern democracies. This has to change if policing is to be fi t for purpose in the 21st Century. In the course of its work, CHRI has sought greater accountability in policing, more transparency, an end to torture and other illegal practices, the value of community policing, and the need for wide representation. East Africa, CHRI has worked to strengthen demand for a unifi ed regional approach to policing and published a report looking at common standards for policing that are essential for effective integration of the East African Community. In South Asia, CHRI has constantly sought to bridge the information gap between public and police and encourage regional dialogues that offer opportunities to learn from each other in addressing common challenges. Our periodic report, Feudal Forces monitors reform initiatives underway in the region. In 2012, we published a regional report on community policing titled Building Bridges which documents and assesses ground-level experiments. In the fi rst study of its kind, the present report concentrates on the situation of women in policing. It highlights the value of diversity in policing in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the Maldives. It points out the diversity defi cit as regards gender, and recommends measures to repair it. We believe the information gathered here will be of utility to governments, police departments and civil society to inform the current debates around improving the gender balance within the police. We believe that sincere efforts to address gender discrimination and further gender equity will be the harbinger for broader reforms in policing that can fulfi l modern mandates. CHRI acknowledges and is deeply appreciative of the support and guidance of everyone associated with this report, and above all, of the police leadership and the many women police personnel who agreed to share their experiences with us and enriched this report in innumerable ways. Maja Daruwala Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Rough Roads To Equality iv WOMEN POLICE IN SOUTH ASIA Acknowledgements The successful completion of this report is the outcome of collaborative efforts and the steadfast support of many individuals, our partners, and numerous police departments. We sincerely thank all those in each country who facilitated and assisted in the research. In Bangladesh, the kind permission of Hassan Mahmood Khandker, the then Inspector General of the Bangladesh Police, enabled CHRI staff to interview and interact with numerous police offi cers across the ranks, for which we are most appreciative. Without the permission to conduct surveys and interviews, the Bangladesh chapter would be missing rich insights and experiences. Our special thanks goes to the Bangladesh Police Women’s Network headed by Ms Mily Biswas who rendered enormous support and help to ensure our research was accurate. CHRI is grateful to Barrister Arafat Hosen Khan and Barrister Nawmi Naz Chowdhury of Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Trust (BLAST) for their assistance in administering survey questions as well as for taking notes during interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). We would also like to thank BLAST for providing logistical support for our stay and travel within Bangladesh during the course of our research. CHRI would also like to thank Fawzia Khondker of the Police Reforms Programme for her valuable suggestions and guidance. In India, the gracious cooperation of the police departments