Women member of Bangladesh police: Changing the views

Bangladesh police, the major law enforcing agency of Bangladesh have extended the opportunity of women police involvement in its all sphere. The history of inclusion of women in the Bangladesh police is not very old. In 1974 with the recruitment of 14 women police Father of Bengali nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman set an exemplary initiative of women empowerment. It was a breakthrough to employ women at police force. First female Assistant Superintendent of police Ms. Fatema Begum joined in 1986 opened a new horizon for senior women police officer in Bangladesh police.

In 1999 our present Prime Minister, daughter of father of Nation Sheikh Hasina took initiative to enhance the female participation in the police service of Bangladesh. The presence of women in the police service of Bangladesh in different ranks and files is discernible fact. At present the number is 14,480 at this organization which is 7.55 % of the total strength. Though majority of this percentage are constable, Assistant Sub Inspector, Sub Inspector rank, women members are holding the senior positions of DIG, Additional DIG, SP and Additional SP.

 Women participation in the police service means a great achievement in terms of women empowerment. They are generating income for themselves and family and hold the position of decision making process. The job in police service is challenging one and Bangladeshi women have taken up those challenges efficiently. By being a part of the police service they have posed challenges to traditional patriarchal ideas. A woman in police uniform catches many men awestruck who traditionally believe household is the only workplace for women. As a member of police service women are now contributing towards the establishment of a society with gender parity. 

Women member of police have proved their efficiency both nationally and internationally. They showed their competency as investigating officer (IO), immigration officer, at intelligence management, Commanding Officer (CO), District Superintendent of police, Thana officer in charge, Traffic sergeant and at national emergency service 999. Success footsteps of women police at UN peace keeping mission have brightened Bangladeshi pride and enriched the foreign reserve of the country. By participating at higher education, international training, seminar they proved efficiency at international arena.

With the increasing number of women police different initiatives have also been taken by present Govt. to build a women friendly work environment. Separate unit formation involving women police members as Women Support and Investigation Division, enhancement of logistic support, day care center establishment, approval of six months maternity leave are praise worthy  initiatives and suitable for the age. 

At present women members are working at all the sphere of Bangladesh police. They showed their competency and have changed the views of general people through their professionalism. On the other hand they are playing the role to move forward the country. Being a part of police service women members are taking part to fulfill the set commitment of Government of Sustainable Development Goal, vision 2021, vision 2041 and hundred years mega project Delta plan for building a prosperous and digital Bangladesh.

Not only for women empowerment but also to change the society, to meet the demand of the age, for societal reason, to ensure proper investigation of changing manner of women related crime  it’s crucial to increase more number of women member in Bangladesh police. Simultaneously, to face upcoming changing challenges women member of Bangladesh police need to be prepared accordingly.

Kamrun Nessa

Additional Deputy Police Commissioner

PR & HRD Division, Dhaka Metropolitan Police

(Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is the unit of Bangladesh Police responsible for law enforcement in the metropolis of Dhaka, the national capital and most populous city in Bangladesh. The DMP is the largest police force in Bangladesh)