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DAHKA, Aug 7, 2026 (BSS) - In a society when victims of sexual arassment, domestic violence and repression generally hesitate to share their traumatic experiences before male police officers for investigation, the increased number of female members in Bangladesh Police ensures a breathing space for such survivors.

"When rape and domestic violence survivors come to us, they often speak more openly because they feel free to share their traumatic experiences to us," Superintendent of Police Mahmuda Begum said while talking to BSS about the epoch-making impact the female members of police are making in society. 

Her words define the unique contribution women police officers are making to Bangladesh's law enforcement system. 

"As investigators, we can build trust more quickly, which ultimately strengthens the quality of evidence collected during investigations," she said.
 
Over her 16 years of service in different capacities, she has witnessed how female officers build trust with survivors, strengthen investigations and prove their professionalism in every assignment entrusted to them.
 
"Many women and child victims hesitate to describe traumatic experiences before male officers. As investigators, we can build trust more quickly, which ultimately strengthens the quality of evidence collected during investigations," she said.
 
Currently serving at Industrial Police Unit-3 in Chattogram, Mahmuda believes the achievements of women officers are inspiring a new generation to dream bigger.
 
"When senior women officers mentor younger colleagues, they inspire confidence across the entire force. Today, young women joining Bangladesh Police know that reaching senior leadership positions is possible through dedication and professional excellence," she said.
 
Recalling her experience in industrial policing, she said female garment workers often feel more comfortable discussing workplace disputes and personal concerns with women officers, allowing police to resolve problems more effectively.
 
She also advised women workers facing emergencies or requiring police assistance to contact the national emergency service, national emergency number 999.
 
Mahmuda's story reflects the broader transformation taking place within Bangladesh Police.
 
More than five decades after Bangladesh Police recruited its first batch of women in 1974, female officers are no longer confined to support roles. Today, they serve across every branch of the force-from constables patrolling communities to senior officers holding positions equivalent to Additional Inspector General of Police (Addl IGP). 
 
They lead investigations, maintain public order, resolve industrial disputes, serve in United Nations peacekeeping missions and increasingly shape the future of policing in Bangladesh.
 
Although women currently account for only 17,970 personnel, or 9.07 percent of Bangladesh Police, their expanding presence reflects one of the country's most significant institutional transformations.
 
When women first joined Bangladesh Police in 1974, they were largely assigned administrative and support duties with limited operational responsibilities.
 
Over the decades, however, they have steadily broken institutional barriers.
 
Today women serve as constables, assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), sub-inspectors (SIs), inspectors, assistant superintendents of police (ASPs), additional superintendents, superintendents of police (SPs), deputy inspectors general (DIGs), additional DIGs and officers serving in positions equivalent to Additional Inspector General of Police.
 
Their rise through the ranks demonstrates how professional competence, dedication and persistence have reshaped opportunities for women in law enforcement.
 
Additional Inspector General of Industrial Police Gazi Jashim Uddin said women officers have consistently demonstrated their abilities at every level of Bangladesh Police.
 
"Women have successfully carried out the responsibilities entrusted to them at every level, from constable to Additional IG. This is a very positive development. They are in no way behind in terms of performance," he said.
 
According to him, female officers have become indispensable in industrial policing, particularly in Bangladesh's garment sector where most workers are women.
 
"It would be difficult to deal with labour unrest effectively in the industrial sector without the contribution of women police personnel," he added.
 
Their ability to communicate with female workers, mediate disputes and de-escalate tensions has become a valuable asset in maintaining industrial peace.
 
Women officers say one of their greatest strengths lies in their ability to establish trust with victims of violence.
 
Mahmuda Begum explained that survivors of rape and domestic violence often feel more comfortable speaking to female investigators, making it easier to collect evidence and conduct sensitive investigations.
 
This survivor-centred approach has become increasingly important as Bangladesh Police places greater emphasis on gender-responsive policing.
 
A female sub-inspector working in a metropolitan police unit said women have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to lead complex operations.
 
"Our responsibilities have expanded over the years, but opportunities in detective work, crime investigation and operational leadership should grow at the same pace. Women officers have repeatedly demonstrated that we can lead complex operations with professionalism," she said.
 
Women officers are now deployed in virtually every specialized unit of Bangladesh Police.
 
They serve in metropolitan police units, district police, Armed Police Battalion, Special Branch, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Tourist Police, Highway Police, River Police, Industrial Police, Police Headquarters and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
 
Bangladesh has earned international recognition by deploying all-female Formed Police Units in UN peacekeeping operations, highlighting the professionalism of its women police officers on the global stage.
 
A major force behind women's professional advancement has been the Bangladesh Police Women Network (BPWN), established in 2008.
 
The organization has become the principal platform promoting women's professional development within Bangladesh Police.
 
Its Strategic Plan (2024-2027) focuses on five major priorities that include increasing women's representation across all police ranks, promoting women into leadership and decision-making positions, strengthening professional and investigative skills, ensuring safe and inclusive workplaces and expanding gender-responsive policing throughout Bangladesh.
 
These priorities were discussed during the BPWN Dhaka Divisional Consultation Workshop held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh recently.
 
At the workshop, Mst. Shahala Pervin, General Secretary of BPWN and Additional DIG (Training-2), Police Headquarters, presented the organization's Strategic Plan (2024-2027), highlighting institutional reforms and leadership development for women officers.
 
The consultation also addressed cybercrime investigation, cyber awareness, workplace safety, mental well-being and implementation of High Court directives aimed at preventing sexual harassment.
 
Representatives from UN Women conducted technical sessions on survivor-centred policing, encouraging officers to adopt gender-sensitive investigative practices.
 
Training programmes jointly organized by BPWN and UN Women now focus on trauma-informed interviewing, survivor-centred investigations and coordinated support services for women and children.
 
Despite significant progress, many women officers believe opportunities in operational leadership, detective work and specialized investigations should continue to expand.
 
Representing the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh at the consultation workshop, Enrico Lorenzon stressed that successful implementation of BPWN's Strategic Plan would depend on sustained institutional commitment and national leadership.
 
Meanwhile, Shrabana Datta, Manager of UN Women's Ending Violence Against Women Unit, encouraged women officers to identify professional capacity gaps so future training programmes could better respond to operational needs.
 
Bangladesh Police's modernization increasingly places women at the centre of institutional reform.
 
From strengthening cybercrime investigations and survivor-centred policing to leading industrial dispute management and international peacekeeping operations, women officers are reshaping the future of policing.
 
While women still comprise just over nine percent of the force, their influence extends far beyond their numbers.
 
Their journey-from the first recruitment of women in 1974 to officers serving in positions equivalent to Additional Inspector General of Police-demonstrates how professionalism, perseverance and competence can transform an institution.
 
As Bangladesh Police implements the BPWN Strategic Plan (2024-2027), women officers hope the next chapter of their story will be defined not simply by greater recruitment, but by equal opportunity, stronger leadership, expanded operational responsibilities and a police service that truly reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.