OSCE, Kyrgyz Interior Ministry organize international conference on women’s role in law enforcement agencies
BISHKEK, 16 October 2014 – The role of women in law enforcement agencies and their contribution to peace and security is being explored at a one-day international conference organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Ministry in Bishkek today. The conference brings together representatives of law enforcement agencies from Central Asia, Afghanistan, Armenia, Sweden, the United States and Canada.
The conference aims at highlighting the benefits of giving women a more prominent in law enforcement as well as facilitating co-operation in this area between Kyrgyzstan’s law enforcement agencies and their counterparts in other countries.
Delivering the opening remarks will be the Kyrgyz Vice Prime Minister Abdyrakhman Mamataliev; former President of Kyrgyzstan Roza Otunbayeva; Kyrgyzstan’s General Prosecutor Aida Salyanova; Acting Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek John MacGregor, First Deputy Minister of Interior Baktybek Jusubaliev, Deputy Minister of Social Development Eric Kuikeev.
During the plenary sessions, conference participants will elaborate recommendations to the the Kyrgyz Government’s National Action Plan for 2015-2016 on Implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325. There will be a focus on its second goal of promotion the role of women in the security sector, defense, law and order, and emergency situations, including at the level of decision-making.
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 recognizes the importance of women's equal participation and full involvement in maintaining and promoting peace and security, and the need to enhance protection of women, girls and their rights.
“There are many significant reasons to increase the representation of women in law enforcement such as the need for police to effectively represent the population which they serve,” said John MacGregor, Acting Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “The increased participation of women in law enforcement and their involvement in the decision-making process at various levels has become a priority in co-operation between the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Interior Ministry of the Kyrgyz Republic within the broader process of reform and the ongoing development of an effective police service in Kyrgyzstan.”
Participants of the conference will discuss how to raise the representation of women in law enforcement agencies and review recommendations. The First Vice-President of the International Association of Women in Police Margaret Shorter; President of the Kyrgyz Association of Women in Police Aidarkul Kaana and a representative from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Interior will hold an award ceremony for the “Best of Best” women in law enforcement agencies.