India’s all-women police force fighting sexual harassment

Nisaa FM:- In the conservative northwestern India, all-female police units are shaking up the male-dominated force. The female officers are hitting the streets to combat sex crimes and the pervasive culture of rape.

India has a gruesome record of sex crimes, with nearly 40,000 rapes reported every year. Women traveling through the busy streets of India can endure everything from lewd jokes and strangers following them –to actual physical attacks and rape.

“The message we want to send out is that we have zero tolerance towards crimes against women,” said Kamal Shekhawat, head of the female police unit in Jaipur

The female police units are patrolling bus stops, colleges, parks and other places where women are vulnerable to sexual harassment. Shekhawat hopes the visible presence of female officers will encourage more women to report their abusers. “Women police are more empathetic and victims also feel more confident and are able to communicate openly before them,” she said.

The female officers spend a lot of time reaching out to the local women, in order to inform about the women police, their purpose and how to contact them. The police force can be contacted through a phone call or even over WhatsApp if necessary. 

Seema Sahu, a 38-year-old mother of two, said she usually avoided going out at night with her daughters. “I am so glad now these police women will be on the roads. Their very presence gives us confidence,” she said.

India’s police force is overwhelmingly male – women make up just seven per cent of officers – and activists complain that victims are often judged by their appearance, or even blamed for provoking the crime. Shekhawat hopes the visible presence of female officers will comfort the women, knowing they will find a sympathetic ear “We have seen a very good impact and positive results wherever our teams are on patrol,” she said. “It is having a preventive effect. And men are taking note, too.” Kamal Shekhawat notes.

Source: South china morning post Picture - Al-Jazeera