BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: EUPM Honors the Importance of Women in Police

Tuzla, 4 November 2010 - In cooperation with the Tuzla University, BiH law enforcement agencies and civic society, the EU Police Mission commemorated the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace and security by organizing a panel discussion on the role and impact of women's participation in law enforcement agencies, in Tuzla yesterday.

The panel comprised EUPM Chief Advisor of the Regional Office and representatives from the Tuzla Canton Ministry of Interior, Brčko District Police, Bijeljina Public Security Centre, Posavina Canton Ministry of Interior, and faculty of Tuzla University. The audience, composed of students of the Law and Philosophy Faculties of Tuzla University, non-governmental and international organisations, from the region discussed their experience in the field with regards to implementing UNSCR 1325. They all agreed that the representation of women in police is not satisfactory, but is caused by the fact that their involvement in the operational work of the police was only promoted in the past decade.

“I am proud to say that Tuzla Canton Ministry of Interior is the leading in BiH when it comes to the number of women employed,” said Tuzla Canton Police Commissioner, Nedim Mutapčić. “Greater involvement of women in this type of work makes citizens see their police as less repressive and increases the feeling of security.”

Fahrudin Selimović, Deputy Chief of Brčko District Police, added that the participation of women in police structures is not an issue of human rights, but a necessity. “Women bring new qualities and new approach to work into the police, and thus they are more than welcome to join,” he explained.

Karl-Heinz Schenk, EUPM Chief Adviser to Regional Office Tuzla noted that this is themother resolution which advocates for three ‘P' – prevention, protection and participation. “Through its capacity building programs and in collaboration with its partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the EU, the EUPM will continue to engage the relevant institutions and the society in policy dialogue to increase the number of female police officers, especially in higher-ranked positions.”

Through UNSCR 1325 and the thorough discussion on gender and gender identification, a greater understanding of the need for gender mainstreaming was achieved, including the identification of challenges ahead and paving the way forward.