The IGP made the call while addressing a programme Monday to observe International Women’s Day (March 8) at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Razarbagh. The BPWN organized the workshop on “Gender Responsive Policing: An Approach of Bangladesh Police and Role of Bangladesh Police Women Network” with the assistance of UNDP.

Also read: 'Cannot allow a generation to go astray': IGP

BPWN as an organization is dedicated to expanding the prospects for women to enter the police profession through networking and leadership.

“You (BPWN) have to go from school to school, to encourage the girls so that they are interested to join the police force,” the IGP said.

The police chief hoped that the capacity of women-friendly services of the police will increase through the recruitment of more women into the Bangladesh Police.

Also read: Police Staff College playing unique role in building professional force: IGP

As a result of Bangabandhu's far-sighted initiative, the first six women police officers joined the force in 1974. At present, there are more than 15,000 women deployed under Bangladesh Police – around 7.5 percent of the total police force, about the same proportion as Japan, according to the IGP.

The IGP said that women members of Bangladesh Police have continued the trend of gender mainstreaming in this force through the establishment of BPWN. They have become role models for the women members employed in the police force as well as for women of various walks of life in the society. In the meantime, they have carried out various programs for the development and advancement of women, he said.

Benazir Ahmed called upon the BPWN to provide more quality and necessary services for women victims of torture alongside giving conventional services to victims for psychological counseling, trauma management and social rehabilitation.

Among others, Additional IGP Dr Mainur Rahman, President of the BPWN DIG Amena Begum, senior officials of Bangladesh police, representatives of UNDP and UN Women and Secretary General of BCS Women Network, and joint secretary of LGRD and Cooperatives Shaila Farzana were present on the occasion.