100 years ago the first women in policing began to change the face of police officer. Over the years the roles for women and achieving senior rank for many was an illusive dream. However as women continued to challenged sexism and discrimination their voices grew from a whisper to a roar.
‘Jane Townsley, president of the IWAP, said she was proud at how far the organisation had come in its 100 year history. And she was full of praise for Britain’s policewomen. She said: “So much has changed over the years since the IAWP was established back in 1915, yet unbelievably some women around the world are still being marginalised. This underlines that as we embark on our next 100 years, there is still much to be done. This year’s conference will celebrate not only our centenary but that of the pioneering women police across the UK who also celebrate their 100th birthdays during our centenary year. Their achievements and courage are an inspiration to us all. As ever, our conference provides a unique opportunity for women in policing from across the globe to come together, to empower us as individuals and also our organisations to make positive changes.” ‘
Being part of the group and achieving that success will not necessarily mean acceptance. Covert harassment and gender discrimination can be subtle. In many countries women in policing face serious threat not only from the citizen they protect but also from their co-workers, who have not embraced gender equality. The idea is to keep challenging the boundaries to follow our dreams.
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Centenary-International-Association-Women-Police/story-26511033-detail/story.html