Gender mainstreaming in customs and law enforcement practices discussed at the regional training

Women's underrepresentation is apparent in policy-making, decision-making, and managerial roles, and this disparity is most pronounced in the criminal justice and law enforcement sector. Globally, women constitute less than one out of every six police officers. Therefore, UNODC continues engaging with Member States to support the equal representation and participation of women through its technical assistance and women’s networks, including the UNODC-WCO Passenger and Cargo Border Teams (PCBT)/ Global Container Control Programme (CCP).

On 22-24 August 2023 in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic jointly with the WCO and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Programme Office in Bishkek organized a regional training, with the generous support of the U.S. Government. The training gathered 53 participants representing customs and other law enforcement agencies from Central Asian countries and Pakistan, as well as international organizations.

The training, led by the international experts from the UNODC and WCO, was focused on incorporating gender aspects into the activities of Port and Air Cargo Control Units, in line with the UNODC Strategy for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (2022-2026), as well as the SDG targets 5.5 – ‘Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life’ and 5.c – ‘Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels’.

Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, emphasized that while the UN and other international organizations advocate for gender mainstreaming in law enforcement, the responsibility for its implementation often falls to individual countries and their respective law enforcement agencies. “It is a critical step toward achieving gender equality and creating more effective and inclusive law enforcement systems. By addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by women and men in law enforcement and recognizing the impact of gender-based discrimination and violence, law enforcement agencies can better serve their communities and contribute to a safer and more just society” – she said.

Ms. Johanna Tornstrom, Project Manager and Gender Equality and Diversity Expert, World Customs Organization stated: “This three-day workshop is a great opportunity to enhance awareness on the importance of gender equality and diversity and the link to the work of customs and other law enforcement agencies. WCO looks forward to continuing working in close collaboration with the participating administrations in the countries of Central Asian region”.

Participants strengthened their knowledge and skills in applying a human rights-based approach and a gender perspective to address cross-border crimes, as well as in identifying the roles of men and women in such crimes. They also delved into UNODC's efforts to promote gender equality and support Member States in enhancing the representation of women in crime prevention and law enforcement, including leadership roles. Best practices for recruiting and retaining women officers in law enforcement agencies were also reviewed. A better understanding was built on international instruments and frameworks in the field of human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as skills to recognize and address gender-based biases and discrimination, use of gender-inclusive language and imagery, gender mainstreaming in human resource policies and practices.

The training also included discussions and analyses of the World Customs Organization's instruments for assessing organizations in terms of gender equality (GEOAT). Through review of best practices from Germany and the Philippines, the participants learned how to utilize these tools in their own counties and organizations.

These exercises helped participants better understand why achieving gender parity is a desirable goal for customs and other law enforcement. Participants worked in groups to assess their organizations using the tools provided by WCO and reflected on their strengths and limitations in achieving gender equality.

The regional training resulted in a strengthened understanding that promoting gender equality is part of the mandate of security and justice sector institutions. Advancing gender equality through the work of the border security sector is part of the responsibility of governments to protect and promote the rights of all, in accordance with commitments made at the national and international levels.

The participants developed an outcome document with a set of recommendations on promoting gender equality and gender mainstreaming in their day-to-day work.

UNODC and WCO will further engage customs administrations and other law enforcement agencies within both the PCBT Women’s Network and the UNODC Strategy for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (2022-2026).

The PCBT/CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia is funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program, and the Government of France.

More about Global CCP at: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/ccp/index.html

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For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communications and PR Specialist at

UNODC criminal justice programme in Central Asia

UNODC POKYR

+996775987817 WhatsApp