Only two months since Lt Islam Bibi was shot dead in Helmand province, her predecessor was shot today in what is becoming a series of attacks on prominent policewomen in Afghanistan.
The 35 year old officer, identified as Lieutenant Negar, was shot today outside her home by two attackers on motorbikes. This incident follows the death of Negar’s predecessor Lt Islam Bibi, who was killed in July after being ambushed by attackers in Helmand province.
An important Oxfam report, released a few days ago, highlights the struggles that Afghan policewomen still face over a decade after being reinstated to the force (subsequent to the Taliban’s 1996 ban of female police officers). Though progress has been made over the last few years, with just under 1,600 women now serving in the police, this still only accounts for 1% of the force in total.
The importance of raising these numbers lies in the struggle to end crimes against women in the country, particularly those of domestic abuse, forced marriage and “honour” killings. The involvement of women within the force is hoped to ensure that these crimes are dealt with seriously and thoroughly, but the Oxfam report this week states that the target to recruit 5,000 women by next year is looking “set to fail.”
The cultural and traditional connotations towards female police officers within Afghanistan are generally not one of pride and respect, but of disregard and ostracism. Furthermore, the Oxfam report states that women in the Afghan police force often face sexual harassment, a lack of basic items such as the uniforms their male counterparts receive, and assignment to tasks such as ‘making tea’, having received little to no training.
Considering such challenges, it is no wonder than Afghan women are not lining the streets ready to sign up to the police force, but according to Oxfam it is exactly that which is needed – recruitment of more women. With more women in the police force it is hoped that not only will they make a huge difference to the safety of women in their country, but that they could also secure their rightful place in the police force without disrespect or fear of danger.
Until these hurdles of recruitment are overcome, however, it seems that women currently involved in the police force are to continue to be under threat of not only disrespect and ostracism, but of targeting and attack. Lieutenant Negar herself, however, is reported to have given recent interviews stating that Afghan women would not quit their roles despite any dangers they face, and it is truly down to the bravery of women such as Lt Islam Bibi and Negar, that a path is being paved through the police ranks of Afghanistan in hope of improving the safety of female officers and in acknowledgement of their bravery, achievements and rightful place within the Afghan police force.