OSCE Centre helps to create association for female police officers in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 1 October 2010 - The Interior Ministry today organized the first meeting of an association for Kyrgyzstan's female police officers with support from the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The Association of Women Police in Kyrgyzstan aims to contribute to gender-mainstreaming in the Kyrgyzstan's police by raising awareness and understanding of issues in the police service that affect women and to promote equal opportunities for continuous professional development. It also aims to promote the role of female officers in building a modern, transparent and accountable police service that is trusted by the public.

President Roza Otunbaeva and more than 70 representatives from the government, government ministries, international organizations and gender non-governmental organizations as well as female police officers from all regions took part in a conference held today to mark the launch of the Association.

The creation of the Association fulfils a commitment made at an International Women's Police Conference, held in Bishkek last November.

Welcoming the creation of the Association, the head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, said that it was needed to ensure that gender equality commitments are lived up to. "Legal and administrative provisions do not guarantee that they are actually delivered in practice. Rather it is the combination of political will and an administrative culture and conditions that will promote the professional growth of women in the police. The Association will be a good vehicle to achieve results," he noted.

Colonel Zarylbek Rysaliev, Interior Minister, added: "The Ministry is dedicated to promoting equal rights and opportunities for women and men who serve in the police. We will further support the newly established Association and will seek every opportunity to ensure its development in the future."