The Acting Commissioner of Police, Phemelo Ramakorwane made the disclosure when delivering a message for this year’s International Women’s Day that was held under the theme, ‘Digital: Innovation and technology for gender equality’.
Ramakorwane said the proportion of women police officers to their male counterparts stands at 30% whilst at senior management the figure stands at 21%. The police commissioner stated that it is encouraging to note that progress is being made to reduce the inequality as noted above.
He said in order to fast track and close the inequality gaps within the organisation, he commits to creating a formalised leadership and mentoring programme for young women police officers and removing barriers for women police officers to navigate the profession.
“This year’s theme recognises and celebrates the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education. International Women’s Day 2023 also explores the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities,” Ramakorwane said. Ramakorwane further committed himself to giving decisive attention to women network issues and providing women police officers with the necessary support, training, skills and competencies that allow them the latitude to express themselves. “International Women’s Day 2023 also explores the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities.
On behalf of BPS, I want to appreciate and applaud the strong presence of police women for their strong positive influence in our performance and their overall exceptional service,” he said.
The police boss further celebrated women police pioneers for charting a course, a very difficult course of the then hostile environment and breaking through the many barriers that stopped them to become exemplary leaders. “To the women police officers, today the rest of the organisation has set aside this time to celebrate with you. I am pleased to note that the service has made strides in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The organisation continues to empower women in various technology related fields.
In this regard, we have women pilots, aircraft mechanics, software engineers, cyber forensics experts, forensic scientists, pathologists, electricians and fingerprint experts,” Ramakorwane said. However, Ramakowane said the service still has a long way to go hence challenged women police officers and the whole police service to embrace government Reset Agenda priority 3 digitalisation and Reset Agenda priority 5 mindset change.
He added that as they continue to modernise the service by providing and expanding their digital platforms, he would be happy to see women leading the way in the development and implementation of e-services.
“Let us stand and remove any mental blockage which may suggest that women cannot excel in a digital space because you are more capable and you can. It would be remiss of me if I fail to note that women, girls and children in Botswana continue to suffer injustices occasioned by Gender Based Violence (GBV), limited access to services and discriminatory cultural practices,” he said.
Ramakorwane said in this regard, they recently launched the standard operating procedures to guide step by step juveniles that come in contact with the police and access the criminal justice system.
“This is complementary to the child friendly centres available for the reception and interviewing of our children. Let me thank you women police officers for your positive influence and exceptional service. Be encouraged to rise and seize the moment, grab the opportunities, excel, be comfortable and be very smart as you celebrate this day,” Ramakorwane said.
