GASABO - In a bid to meet the minimum requirement of 30 percent women representative in all government institutions, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has vowed to increase the number of women in the force.

The revelation was made Thursday evening by the acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahozire, during a press briefing at police headquarters in Kacyiru.

"Currently, women in service are 17 percent and we intend to increase the number beyond 30 percent to meet the constitutional obligation,” said Gahonzire.

The RNP is currently over 7,000 strong force of which close to 1,200 are women. According to Gahonzire, the representation of women in the force stood at 9 percent three years ago.

"The police Tripartite Programme that took shape three years ago aims at mobilising and sensitizing women to join the force which made their number increase,” added the Police boss.

The Tripartite police programme brings together Swedish, South African and Rwandan police services with five objectives that include criminal investigations, community policing, accountability, training, women’s empowerment and management.

Gahonzire remarked; "we are taking on board sensitisation and mobilisation of women to voluntarily join the force.”

In case the number of women in the police goes up to 30 percent, Rwanda will be among the countries leading the table of women serving in the police worldwide.

Ends