The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has congratulated the Zambia Police Service for graduating 401 women out of the 693 recruit officers at Kamfinsa School of Public Order Maintenance.

In a statement, Wednesday, NGOCC Chairperson Mary Mulenga, however, bemoaned the non-inclusion of women in decision making positions in the Zambia Police Service.

“Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja, during the Kamfinsa pass out parade on Monday said having more women recruits was the first of its kind. Mr. Kanganja said the government was working hard to champion and introduce the national gender policy which recognises the need for equal and full participation of women and men at all levels of national development. NGOCC therefore congratulates the Zambia Police on this milestone. We however, remain concerned about the non-inclusion of women in decision making positions within the Police Service. We have noted that while the Police may graduate these women, they rarely raise to senior positions. Currently, out of the ten Police Commissioners, only three (3) are women,” Mulenga stated.

She appeared to the police command to elevate more women to decision making positions.

“We therefore appeal to the Zambia Police senior command to immediately address the issue of elevating more women to decision making positions. We are confident that the 401 women Police Officers will help increase staffing levels and also contribute to maintaining peace, law and order in Zambia. We however appeal to all female Police Officers to demonstrate transformational leadership in their execution of duty. We would like to appeal to the Government to immediately operationalise the Gender Equity and Equality Act (GEEA) to ensure gender equality in the public service,” stated Mulenga.