Rajasthan approves 33% Quota for Women in Police Force

Syllabus :GS 1/Women Empowerment 

In News 

• The Rajasthan government approved 33% reservation for women in the police force by deciding to amend the State Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989.

Current Status 

• Over the years, the representation of women in Indian police has improved.
• However, it’s essential to note that this progress remains slow but steady.
• As of January 1, 2022, women made up 11.7% of the total State police force. 
• Police being a State subject, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations to recruit more women police personnel including improvement of gender balance. 

Importance of Women in police force

• Improved Handling of Violence Against Women: Increased female representation in law enforcement correlates with higher reporting rates and better handling of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes against women.
  • Female officers improve reporting rates and clearance rates for these cases.
• Enhanced Police-Community Relations: Women officers tend to be trusted more by their communities due to their high interpersonal communication skills and lower likelihood of using force.
  • This fosters better relationships and safer communities.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Women bring effective problem-solving skills to law enforcement.
  • Diverse workforces, including a balance of men and women, are more creative, resilient, and effective in decision-making and service delivery.

Issues and Challenges

• Infrastructure Issues: Many women in the police force expressed dissatisfaction with poor infrastructure, including the lack of separate toilets and inadequate venues to report workplace harassment.
• Prejudiced Notions: A portion of the population  held prejudiced views about the capability of women in handling police duties.
  • There is a prevalent belief among a notable share of personnel that policing is predominantly a man’s job.
• Workplace Environment: Women in the police force often face a hostile work environment characterized by sexism and gender bias.
  • Stereotypes and biases often hinder women’s advancement within the force.

 Steps taken 

• The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued regular advisories to the State Governments/UT Administrations to increase the  representation of women police to 33% of the total Strength.
•  States/UTs are advised to ensure each police station has at least 3 women Sub-Inspectors and 10 women Constables to maintain a women’s help desk round the clock.
• States are encouraged to improve welfare measures for women police personnel, including housing, medical facilities, and rest rooms, to create a conducive work environment.
• Central Assistance: Under the “Assistance to States & UTs for Modernization of Police” scheme, central assistance is provided for constructing separate toilet facilities and crèches in police stations.
• Wide Publicity and Fee Exemption: Recruitment is widely advertised, and female candidates are exempt from application fees.
• Relaxed Physical Tests: Women candidates receive relaxed standards in the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) compared to male candidates.
• Anti-Sexual Harassment Measures: Committees are established at all levels to address and resolve sexual harassment complaints.
• The Supreme Court has highlighted the critical need for higher representation of women in the police force due to the prevalence of crimes against women.

Suggestions and Way Ahead :

• There should be efforts to create a conducive environment and basic infrastructure to attract more women to the police force.
• Establishing recruitment boards in all States to ensure regular recruitment of women.
• A model policy is needed to challenge deep-rooted patriarchy within police institutions.
• Deployment decisions should avoid gender stereotyping, enabling women to take on leading operational and investigative roles.
• Implement a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment.
• Gender sensitization within police forces is crucial. Prejudiced notions about women’s capabilities must be addressed.
• Sensitization programs should complement efforts to increase representation.

Source:TH