A two-day 'Gender Responsive Leadership' training for regional law enforcement institutions opened on Tuesday, September 24, at Rwanda National Police General Headquarters in Kigali.
The training for 56 officers from 10 African countries is designed to advocate for greater gender parity and to improve women's participation, representation and leadership in law enforcement and criminal justice in Eastern Africa.
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Participants are from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Comoros, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Burundi, Seychelles, and Rwanda. It is organized in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO).
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The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in Charge of Administration and Personnel, DCG Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, while opening the training, said that it provides an opportunity to deepen their understanding of how integrating gender perspective into practice can enhance effectiveness as law enforcement professionals.
"Creating a gender-responsive law enforcement system is not just a matter of fairness; it is vital to our effectiveness in maintaining public safety and upholding the law and order. Gender mainstreaming is not a choice but a necessity in modern law enforcement," Ujeneza said.
She advocated for the integration of a gender perspective into all stages of policy-making, enforcement strategies, and organizational practices, ensuring that gender considerations are a concern of every level of decision-making especially the top leadership that provides strategic guidance to lower levels.
"Law enforcement agencies, by nature, interact on a daily basis with a cross-section of the society. A diverse and gender-sensitive approach leads to more effective and empathetic policing, enhancing trust and cooperation within the community. It provides a platform for varied perspectives and innovative solutions to complex problems," she said.
Ujeneza called for individual and collective approaches to challenge stereotypes, and reinforce policies that promote equality and respect.