In the past few years, India has been witnessing the positive change in the role of women in the
society. The industrial revolution didn’t just bring the change of globalisation and liberalisation in the
society, but it also has changed the status of a female from a homemaker to a professional. Now the
world is changing with pace and we see the Indian women in those fields where once men used to
rule. And the Indian women are setting a perfect example by creating a perfect balance between
their professional and personal life. Some of the greatest examples are: Indira Gandhi (the first
female prime minister of country), Kiran Bedi (first woman IPS officer), Kalpana Chawla (the first
Indian woman to enter space).and not only these fields the Indian woman are also handling the
economic activities of the country like: Ms. Chanda Kochchar (first female MD and CEO of the
country’s largest pvt. Sector bank i.e. ICICI bank). Also, Pratibha Patil who was the first lady president
of India had the capabilities to run the whole country. However, the gender discrimination and
biasness against women still exists and particularly in the area of Indian Police Force.
The policing are known to be that profession which is considered to be the male dominated
profession. And according to the mentality of the Indian society women are considered to be a soft
hearted, weaker sex, the one who is dependent on others for her own safety. They believe that the
characteristics that the women carry along with them are not suited to be fit for the job of a police
woman. Even though the posting and ranking of the police force of the males and females are equal,
irrespective of their gender, but still women are underrepresented and are not assigned proper field
missions to the same extent as given to the men. This put forwards a question on the ability and
skills of the police woman! This will not be tolerated by them now.
Of the 17,226,786 police officers in the country today, only 105,325 are women across all the ranks
and posts. This amounts on an average to a mere 6.11% to the total Indian police force in India. In a
response to a RTI enquiry, it was found that in the past 10 years approximately 100 policemen were
involved in the rape cases and other sexual abuse activities. Needless to say, that the women
especially of Delhi have lost their faith in the police. Therefore, it has become a necessary to employ
women in the police. According to the statistics of 2013, policewomen constitute only 7.13% (5,356)
of 75,169 total personnel in Delhi. Many states in India like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan
Punjab Jharkhand n many other have established all women police station which is run and
governed by the women police. This step is necessary as women fell more comfortable to share their
issues with the police stations manned by women rather than the regular police station, especially
the women related problems like domestic violence, rape, assault, bigamy etc. Unfortunate enough
Delhi has not made any progress regarding this.
The role of police is crucial in our country, in our society a policeman is seen as a symbol of state
power, coercion and not as a friend or protector of the state. Under these circumstances, women
can prove to be an asset to the Indian Police Force. Research and history has disproved the notion
that women are not suited for policing. Men and women, they both have have different
personalities, if these differences are managed with proper understanding then work environment
would excel in the police stations.
The reconstructing of the Indian Police Force will require a multi-faceted approach. However, the
first step in this direction should be to give women a fair chance to prove her. Being India a
democratic country, the democratic policing should innately be applied here. The whole selection
criteria of the Indian Police Force should be applicaple to women as those applicable to their male
counter parts. It is about time we bring a change in the society and show them the much deserved
respect to an Indian policewoman.
