OSCE trains 25 Kyrgyz neighborhood inspectors on gender-sensitive policing

ISSYK-KUL, Kyrgyzstan, 17 July 2014 – The OSCE Police Matters Programme in co-operation with the Interior Ministry today launched a two-day training course in Issyk-Kul on gender-sensitive approaches to combatting domestic violence for 25 newly-hired neighborhood inspectors from the Chui, Naryn, Talas and Issyk-Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan.

The course focuses on gender-sensitive approaches in policing and understanding the psychological aspects of domestic violence cases as experienced by women, men and children.

“Effective community policing requires building the capacity of junior neighborhood inspectors who work within communities and aims at increasing trust between police and the community they serve,” said Victor Sotchi, Head of the Police Matters Programme. “Therefore gender sensitivity is one of the priorities of the Mission’s Community Policing project”.

Baev Erkin Kochkorovich, Head of the Department of Public Security at the Interior Ministry said: “The Community Policing project assists us in improving the knowledge of newly-hired staff, especially neighborhood inspectors, on gender issues and domestic violence. I believe that capacity building for young police officers is one of the key aspects in our work.” 

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports the implementation of Kyrgyzstan’s National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality 2012-2020, including its National Action Plan, by strengthening the capacity of key actors and raising awareness of gender aspects of security, women’s participation in public life and the involvement of men in promoting gender equality.