In a significant initiative aimed at tackling the unique professional hurdles encountered by women in the force, the Golaghat district police in Assam conducted a special two-day interaction and training program. The event, held on December 3 and 4, was designed exclusively for women police officers and home guards.
Structured Dialogues on Ground Realities
The program successfully brought together 101 participants, encompassing women officers of various ranks alongside women home guards. It provided a dedicated platform for structured conversations about their daily experiences and operational challenges within the police department. Notably, the entire session was conceived, organized, and coordinated by a team of women officers themselves. This team included two DSP probationers, an inspector from the intelligence branch, and reserve officers, highlighting the department's commitment to promoting gender-sensitive policing from within.
Through focused group discussions and personal one-on-one interactions, attendees were actively encouraged to voice their concerns. These concerns broadly covered service conditions, infrastructure deficiencies, and duty patterns that impact their professional efficacy and personal well-being.
Key Issues Highlighted by Personnel
The deliberations brought to light several practical difficulties, especially for those posted in remote police stations and outposts. A consensus emerged on critical gaps needing urgent attention:
- Lack of proper and secure accommodation facilities.
- Ad-hoc and unpredictable duty assignments.
- Inadequate sanitation facilities and a glaring absence of separate washrooms.
- Challenges in arranging safe transportation for both personnel and victims during late-night or odd hours.
Participants also emphasized the significant strain on work-life balance caused by prolonged and highly irregular duty schedules. This issue was pointed out as being particularly acute for married officers and those who are single parents.
Leadership Pledges Concrete Action
On the second day of the program, Somalin Subhadarsini, the Commandant of the Armed Police Training Centre at Lachit Borphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, joined the attendees. In her interaction, she underscored the vital role women play in law enforcement. "Women police personnel play a vital role in law enforcement, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have proper facilities and support systems," Subhadarsini stated. She affirmed the legitimacy of their concerns and stressed that speaking up is the crucial first step toward fostering a more inclusive and professional work environment.
The concluding phase of both days saw the presence of Rajen Singh, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Golaghar. He attentively noted all the shared concerns and provided concrete assurances. Singh declared that the well-being of women personnel is central to effective policing in the district. "Concrete steps will be taken, in a time-bound manner, to address critical issues like accommodation, sanitation, and deployment so that you can focus fully on your duties," he assured the gathering. He also urged the officers to continue providing feedback through formal channels to ensure sustained improvement.
This focused workshop marks a proactive step by the Golaghat police leadership to directly engage with and understand the on-ground challenges faced by their women personnel, with a clear promise of actionable solutions to follow.
