Emirati women are 'outstanding' as cops

Abu Dhabi - Female police officers are also vital to engaging with families and children in protecting the community from criminals.

The number of Emirati women in the Abu Dhabi Police force has significantly increased and more young women were looking forward to join the force, said a senior UAE woman police officer.
"Women in UAE have proven to be competent and efficient in the police force and can work in any department to provide vital skills and capabilities that benefit the nation," Major Amna Mohammed Khamis Al Bloushi, chairwoman of the Emirates Women Police Association, (EWPA) told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the fourth Women Police Regional Conference which kicked off in the Capital on Sunday.
"UAE female officers have shown outstanding performance in dealing with police and security tasks and duties and they are offering unique skills to the police force. There are many women police officers in Abu Dhabi Police's sensitive departments such as investigations, DNA, forensic and others," she said. "UAE leaders have also shown support for women's work within police and security agencies after proving high performance in dealing with police and security tasks and duties."
Al Baloushi noted that the role of female police officers was also vital to engaging with families and children in protecting the community from criminals.
"Emirati women are natural leaders and possess great capabilities to participate in building a secure community and providing stability across the country," she said.
At the conference, Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the General Women's Union, supreme chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood was honoured by the International Association of Women Police.
In her keynote speech, Dr Audrey Leah Mofomme, head of the International Association of Women Police, said: "We are advocating for women to be recognised in this predominantly male dominated police workforce across the globe, not only in numbers but also in higher positions. Women should be given equal opportunities in the police force just like men. Women's rights are all people's rights."
She noted that women in various law enforcement agencies across the world have shown great enthusiasm in serving people with loyalty and diligence.
According to Mofomme, although women are the majority in the world, it's absurd that they are still the minority in many workplaces. She praised the efforts of the country's leadership and Sheikha Fatima to empower women in the UAE.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi