UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has expressed concern about the declining number of female officers in the Kenyan National Police Service (NPS).
On Saturday, August 5, the organization that advocates for women’s rights revealed that the number of registered female police officers in 2018 was 14,042.
However, the number fell sharply to 13,279 in 2021 and has continued to fall in subsequent years, denying women vital employment opportunities.
“Addressing challenges in policing for women will reverse the decline and bring a comprehensive approach to policing,” the UN Women stated.
Female police officers, according to the organization that champions women’s rights, account for 11 percent of the total National Police Service workforce.
By 2021, the number of female officers in the National Police Service had significantly reduced to 9 percent, denoting a setback for gender equality in Kenya.
UN Women also noted that women are less represented in key institutions in society due to many factors, including stereotypes about their role in society, which may discourage women from pursuing a career in law enforcement.
It went on to say that female police officers in Kenya face significant challenges, with a lack of support both within the force and in society at large.
Among the key issues it wishes to address is unfair recruitment, which discriminates against women and impedes their advancement and representation in the police force.
As a result, the UN called on the NPS to investigate various issues affecting women and to increase the number of female officers in the police force.
