[Answered] The idea of all-woman police stations needs a relook for effective empowerment of women. Examine the statement.

The number of All-woman police stations in India has increased manifolds in the recent years. They were established specifically to deal with the crimes against women. It increased the incidence of reporting of crimes against women, however it has not resulted into the achievement of intended objectives.

Why the idea of all women police stations needs a relook?

Female representation: In 2009, the Union Home Ministry also set 33% as the benchmark target for women’s representation in the police. However, this target is still very far with Bihar (25.3%) employing most female police personnel.

Women safety: According to Women, Peace and Security Index 2021, India ranks 148 out of 170 countries, it shows vulnerable situations of women prevalent in the country.

The lack of infrastructure like separate toilets, poor childcare support systems and changing rooms for women in police stations still present numerous difficulties for women.

There is less cooperation from male colleagues due to patriarchal mindset of masculinity. Moreover, this system also transfers the collective duty of woman safety to just an all-women police station.

The idea implies that the women officers are capable of dealing with only crimes against women.

Mere recruitment and introduction of women will not be adequate as the training of officers is not in all police subjects and negligence to rural postings. Often women policepersons are employed in computer sections, counselling cells, reception desks, etc.

What measures are required?

There is a need for sensitization of the political and police leadership about the failure to stop crime against women.

The women officers have to be trained well in all police subjects and deputed in both urban and rural police stations.

Posting of women police personnel in computer sections, counselling cells, reception desks, etc. should be discouraged.

The infrastructure like toilets and changing rooms for women in police stations should be adequately created.

Training in gender, respect to women and male cooperating with female colleagues must be an integral part of basic police training. These topics also deserve to be emphasized during in-service workshops.

The women police personnel should be given leadership training and experience-sharing workshops to sharpen their professional skills.

Thus, instead of compartmentalization of women police officers, they should be made part of the regular police force and made to deal in every type of crime. Then only female police force will become an effective force and the women empowerment in its intent will be achieved.