Gender Associations launches a comprehensive study on the working environment of the National Police (GPI) in Moldova from a gender lens, accompanied by a two-week training of trainers for women police officers. The activities have been performed under the leadership of the GS-Foundation.
Under its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Moldova has taken crucial steps towards compliance with international and European standards when it comes to the provision of security from a gender perspective. However, despite commendable efforts by the Moldovan Police to enhance working conditions and advance gender equality initiatives, the study identifies several areas requiring further attention.
In order to gain insights into the existing inequalities and challenges for women police officers, as well as the opportunities to advance their leadership, Gender Associations conducted an online survey of over 1,000 police officers, held interviews with internal and external experts and analysed relevant policies and legal frameworks.
By incorporating findings from a variety of countries with exemplary best practices, the research offers actionable recommendations to stakeholders and decision-makers within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and General Police Inspectorate (GPI). In order to create a more equitable and supportive working environment within the police, the study proposes enhancing recruitment and promotion processes, implementing comprehensive training strategies, integrating gender mainstreaming into training curricula, and improving psychological support systems.
In addition to the study, Gender Associations, under the leadership of the GS Foundation, provided strategic training initiatives for the Moldovan Police to enhance the inclusion of a gender perspective in their work. In November 2023, Gender Associations developed and conducted a two-week training programme for 18 trainers from different Moldovan Police departments to acquire the academic knowledge, sensitivity and hands-on skills to become gender trainers for their colleagues within the National Police (GPI) and promote more gender-sensitive policing.
The training programme delved into crucial content, including modules on “Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Promoting Gender Equality”, “Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Gender-Responsive Policing”, as well as transformative leadership skills.
Based on our expertise in gender-sensitive security sector reform and our background working with international and regional actors as well as civil society partners, we were able to equip the national police with cutting-edge methodologies, tools and knowledge on gender issues in law enforcement that meet high-level international standards and contribute to the implementation of the WPS Agenda.
The GS Foundation and Gender Associations anticipate that this study and trainings will serve as a valuable resource in guiding the development and implementation of effective strategies to achieve a more inclusive and respectful workplace within the Moldovan Police. This is one important step towards a possible membership in the European Union. Furthermore, beyond the Moldovan context, the study highlights important potential actions and recommendations for the integration of women within security agencies and effective gender-sensitive security sector reforms everywhere.
Impressions from the Training session.
