Policewomen's network launched

Bangladesh Policewomen's Network, a forum to safeguard the interests of female police members, was formally opened at a function at a city hotel yesterday.
Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin while inaugurating the new forum as the chief guest, said the forum would help take appropriate measures in solving the problems of the policewomen as well as the women in the country.
Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury welcomed the new forum, terming it an appropriate step.
IGP Nur Mohammad said the network is a professional forum for ensuring a women-friendly environment as well as service.
Additional IGP (administration) NBK Tripura said the policewomen's network will promote empowerment of women in an effort to create gender equality in the force.
Presided over by only female DIG Fatema Begum, also the first president of the forum, the inaugural function was attended by Home Secretary Md Abdul Karim, UNDP Resident Representative Reneta Lok Dessallien and First Vice-President of International Association of Women Police Jane Townsley.
The newly launched policewomen's network is a 23-member executive committee of which all the policewomen are the general members. The leaders of which will be elected for two years through direct votes of the women personnel.
Bangladesh Police first introduced women members to its ranks in 1974 with recruitment of 12 women. The total number of policewomen now stands at 1,937.
Sources said there are a deputy inspector general (DIG), four additional DIGs, 19 additional police supers (SPs), 10 senior assistant SPs, 77 ASPs, 53 inspectors, 189 sub-inspectors (SI), 253 assistant sub-inspectors (ASI), and 1,331 constables.