Women police officers reshape BD’s law enforcement landscape

More than five decades after Bangladesh Police recruited its first batch of women officers in 1974, female personnel are playing an increasingly significant role in transforming the country’s law enforcement system.

Once confined largely to support and administrative roles, women officers are now serving across all levels of the police force from constables working at the grassroots to senior officers holding positions equivalent to Additional Inspector General of Police (Addl IGP).

Additional Inspector General of Industrial Police Gazi Jashim Uddin told BSS that women officers have proven their capabilities through dedication, professionalism and competence at every level of the force.
“Women have successfully carried out responsibilities entrusted to them at every level, from constable to Additional IG. This is a very positive development. They are in no way behind in terms of performance,” he said.

Highlighting their contribution to the Industrial Police, he said female officers play a crucial role in addressing labour unrest, especially in the garment sector where most workers are women.
“It would be difficult to effectively deal with industrial unrest without the contribution of women police personnel,” he added.

Superintendent of Police Mahmuda Begum, currently serving at Industrial Police Unit-3 in Chattogram, said women officers across the force inspire her through their sincerity, professionalism and commitment.

Recalling her 16 years of service, she said female officers have achieved remarkable success by reaching senior positions, including Additional Inspector General of Police, the second-highest rank in Bangladesh Police.

She said women officers often gain greater trust from survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse during investigations.

“When survivors of rape or domestic violence come to us, they often speak more openly because they feel understood,” Mahmuda said, adding that this helps investigators collect stronger evidence and improve case outcomes.

She said opportunities for women in the police have expanded significantly compared with previous generations.

“When senior women officers mentor younger colleagues, they inspire confidence across the entire force. Today, young women joining Bangladesh Police know that reaching senior leadership positions is possible through dedication and professional excellence,” she said.

Mahmuda said female officers also play an important role in the Industrial Police as women garment workers often feel more comfortable sharing their concerns with female personnel.

She advised people facing emergencies to seek police assistance through the national emergency service 999.

Despite significant progress, women officers said achieving equal representation in leadership, investigations and operational policing remains a continuing challenge.

The issue was highlighted at the Bangladesh Police Women Network (BPWN) Dhaka Divisional Consultation Workshop on implementing its Strategic Plan (2024-2027) held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh.

According to Bangladesh Police data, 17,970 women officers are currently serving in the force, accounting for 9.07 percent of total personnel.

Women officers are now deployed in metropolitan police units, district police, Armed Police Battalion, Special Branch, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Tourist Police, Highway Police, River Police, Police Headquarters and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Bangladesh has also gained international recognition by deploying all-female Formed Police Units in UN peacekeeping operations.

Established in 2008, the Bangladesh Police Women Network has become a key platform for promoting women’s professional development within the force.

The network’s strategic priorities include increasing women’s representation, promoting leadership roles, enhancing investigative skills, ensuring safe workplaces and strengthening gender-responsive policing.
At the consultation workshop, BPWN General Secretary and Additional DIG (Training-2), Police Headquarters, Mst. Shahala Pervin, highlighted the organisation’s focus on institutional reforms and leadership development.

The workshop also featured sessions on cybercrime investigation, cyber awareness, mental health, workplace safety and implementation of High Court directives on preventing sexual harassment.
Representatives from UN Women conducted technical sessions on survivor-centred policing and gender-sensitive investigation practices.

A female sub-inspector serving in a metropolitan police unit said women officers are capable of handling major operational responsibilities.

“Our responsibilities have expanded over the years, but opportunities in detective work, crime investigation and operational leadership should grow at the same pace. Women officers have repeatedly demonstrated that we can lead complex operations with professionalism,” she said.

Representing the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, Enrico Lorenzon said successful implementation of the BPWN Strategic Plan would require sustained institutional commitment and national leadership.

UN Women Ending Violence Against Women Unit Manager Shrabana Datta encouraged women officers to identify professional capacity gaps so future training programmes can better address their needs.
Bangladesh Police’s modernisation efforts increasingly focus on expanding women’s participation in leadership, specialised training and survivor-centred policing.

Although women currently represent slightly more than nine percent of the force, police leaders and development partners believe that increased recruitment, stronger career opportunities and expanded operational roles will enable women to contribute fully at every level – from constable to Additional Inspector General of Police.