PESHAWAR: The UN Women and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police on Monday launched a handbook on gender responsive policing under European Union-Funded KP Rule of Law Programme.

The handbook, which has been prepared to provide police officers and institutions with the necessary knowledge and skills, training methodologies and practical guidance to respond to violence against women and girls, was launched at ceremony at Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines.

Provincial police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari and other senior officials were present on this occasion.

“Through gender-responsive policing we ensure any part of the community, women and girls, men and boys including minority or marginalised groups is not disadvantaged over another in its treatment by police. This handbook will assist us in achieving this goal,” AIGP Dr Quraish Khan told the ceremony.

He said that police were committed to building the capacity of officers on the concepts of gender-responsive policing with an objective of ensuring accountability for the meaningful participation of the victim in the investigation when violence against women and girl was alleged to have occurred.

“Gender responsive policing has long been regarded as a vital component of building trust within the communities. Structural, cultural, institutional and most importantly attitudinal change within the police department is the best way forward. The training of police is a priority,” head of UN Women provincial office Zainab Qaiser said on the occasion.

IGP Moazzam Jah Ansari said KP police were committed to introducing gender equality in the unit and took measurable and effective actions for mainstreaming gender in all areas of policing and making it effective in service access for women, girls and other vulnerable population.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2022