Push for more women, this time in the police

Context:

Indian states must take action as data reveals a shortage of women in law enforcement, hindering cases related to women's issues.

Legislative Progress for Women's Representation

• Constitutional Amendment: India is set to increase women's participation in politics with the recent passage of the 128th Amendment Bill, reserving one-third of legislative seats for women.
• Amendment Scope: The bill covers the House of the People, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, extending to seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• Policymaking Goal: The amendment aims to boost women's involvement in policy-making but faces potential delays linked to census and delimitation processes.

Women's Representation in State Police Forces

• Gender Quotas: Several Indian states reserve 30% or 33% of police vacancies for women, improving representation, but not all states enforce this policy.
• Varied State Performance: Women's representation in state police forces varies, with some states not following quotas but still having 6% to 11% women representation.
• Recruitment Challenges: The overall recruitment process and attrition rates hinder achieving the 33% target, requiring focused efforts to increase women's presence.

The Importance of Women in Law Enforcement

• Criminal Cases: With crimes against women forming a significant share of total cases, having more women police officers is essential for effective law enforcement.
• Law and Order: Women officers are needed not only for handling gender-related cases but also for general law enforcement and day-to-day duties.
• Police Reforms: Police reforms are a state matter, and incentives for implementing reforms, including merging women police with regular forces, have been introduced.