The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently concluded a ground-breaking programme to improve the police accountability through consultations with community members in 6 districts within the Malakand division. As part of UNDP’s Strengthening Rule of Law in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa programme (SRL), the consultations provided a platform for women and men in Swat, Shangla, Buner, Lower Dir, Upper Dir and Chitral to discuss policing needs in their communities.
The consultation confirmed that the SRL project’s approach to strengthening police in KP province, through interventions across a range of policy, operational and training areas, is aligned with local needs. The consultation process was also celebrated by participants for laying the foundation for a new relationship between police and communities. “I am a lawyer and for the first time I am hearing that the police is accountable to the community,” a woman attending the session in Lower Dir stated.
“We appreciate that the community and UNDP have highlighted our sacrifices and our good work,” the District Police Officer for Buner district said.
In partnership with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the European Union, the Netherlands and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, UNDP’s SRL project works with the community and strengthens institutions to support the rule of law. The project has brought legal services to marginalized and vulnerable people through legal aid clinics and bar associations across 11 districts of KP province.
Mr. Stefano Gatto, Acting Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan said, “the EU is committed to support initiatives aimed at building bridges between communities and public institutions, which includes trust and confidence in the police at the community level. As security challenges entail genuine collaboration of the local population with the police, accountability of the police to the citizens is crucial for peace and stability in Malakand".
The consultations in Malakand division brought together both men and women to discuss how police services could be improved and resulted in many recommendations from communities’ lived experience. Issues raised included the need to prevent political interference, provide better training to police officers, and the need to increase the number of women police officers.
Over 75 women participated in the consultation and voiced their perspective on these key issues, including their concerns about the need for women’s shelters. The women also recognized the role of the police in addressing issues of drug misuse, domestic violence, and suicide rates amongst young women. As one Shangla schoolteacher stated, "If the number of women in the police is increased and they are appointed at higher positions, the practice of domestic violence in homes will diminish.”
The consultations and cooperation between the community, Malakand division (KP police) and UNDP will assist in the preparation of district police plans which are responsive to local needs and concerns.
“We recognize we have to change, and by events like this we will move faster,” a District Police Officer attending a women’s forum said.