From Where I Stand: “Kuwaiti women have achieved great success as part of the security forces”
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Fatima Al Bouhasan is the Head of the Community Police Department of Hawally Governorate in Kuwait. She recently attended the launch of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in Kuwait. The study was conducted by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development in partnership with the Women’s Research and Studies Centre (WRSC) of Kuwait University, UN Women Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) and UNDP Kuwait, and in collaboration with the Central Statistical Bureau, and Promundo, within the framework of national implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5.
“10 years ago, His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait insisted on the need for a women’s police unit to work side-by-side with policemen in order to have an integrated and upgraded security system in Kuwait. When the women’s police institute was established, women graduated from it in the same ranks given to male police officers.
At the beginning when I heard that the registration for the policewomen officers was open (in 2008), I started to consider joining. Despite my family’s opposition at the beginning, I decided to join. Little by little, I started to convince them of the advantages of this profession. Luckily, I received the initial acceptance and joined the course with great enthusiasm. After a while, my whole family was looking forward to my graduation, where I received a distinction with the rank of Lieutenant (Jurisdiction Officer). Years later, thankfully, my whole family is very proud of my career.
My experience as a member of the police force is positive and successful. I am convinced that the participation of women in the security services is very important. What we have witnessed over the last 10 years is that many policewomen are holding positions within all sectors of the Ministry of the Interior. It is notable that women have achieved great success in this area.
If such successful achievements continue as they are now; the years to come will witness a significant progress in the security operational process and its advancement, and accordingly result in achieving more success for women.”
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As a policewoman in Kuwait, Fatima Al Bouhasan, exemplifies the importance of women’s participation in the security forces. Her work relates to Sustainable Development Goal 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.