ZIMBABWE: ZRP Women Network Lauded

SENATOR for Beitbridge constituency, Cde Tambudzani Mohadi, has launched the Zimbabwe Republic Police chapter of the women's network which seeks to uplift the standard of women in the police force by creating an enabling environment which will allow women officers to participate in all activities within the force.

The event which was marked by a 10km walk around the entire town's secondary and primary schools was held at the Dulibadzimu Police Post last Wednesday morning.

Addressing delegates at the launch, Cde Mohadi said: “This event comes at a time when the world is in the process of empowering women. In the past women were sidelined to take up certain jobs. Very few women were employed as police officers.

“Crimes were committed against women and they were handled by male police officers. This alone placed women in a very difficult position to explain their experiences to the male police officers."

Senator Mohadi added that the United Nations (UN), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the ZRP have adopted this initiative through Southern Africa Police Chiefs Co-operation (SARPCCO).

She also said that the women'network would help address some of the challenges women police officers were facing in their day to day operations.

Cde Mohadi said that the ZRP would ensure that women police officers are trained and developed to enhance their knowledge, skills and to give them career options.

“The ZRP will allow undertaking projects to alleviate poverty through fundraising activities, equal job opportunities to stimulate interest in police women, to partake in operational duties and they should participate in all sporting activities so that they are kept in good health.

“I would therefore like to encourage police officers in Beitbridge to take up this opportunity availed to them by their employer and start income generating projects that are offered within and outside the force,” said Cde Mohadi.

The senator urged the police to continue working hand in glove with the society in reducing cases of domestic and gender based violence.

The ZRP women's network was introduced to the police force some four years ago but the Beitbridge chapter had taken long to launch because of the unavailability of resources and manpower.

The function was attended by several community leaders, school heads and the officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Hosiah Mukombero and his subordinates, Superintendents Conrad Manhai and Christopher Chisedze.