While the world is striving toward attaining gender equality in every aspect of life, life for women in some parts of the world is nothing short of an ordeal. Same is the case with women in Pakistan, especially when they are out on the streets. Verbal and physical harassment of women is common on Pakistan’s streets, with little recourse for victims.

When a woman is harassed on the streets, bystanders often don’t do much because most of them simply stay idle and watch. Whereas, some don’t do anything out of the fear of getting beaten up by the harassers. Generally speaking, people don’t come for help because street harassment is not even considered a problem to begin with. Even though, this sort of bullying and harassment limits people’s access to public spaces and lowers their comfort level there. It can cause people to ‘choose’ less convenient routes and alter their routines; give up hobbies and change habits; and even quit jobs or move neighbourhoods or simply stay home because they can’t face the thought of one more day of harassment.

Recently, Islamabad police formally launched its first ever bicycle patrolling unit. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Qazi Jamilur Rehman introduced ‘Cycle Patrol Unit’ in the city to develop friendly relations with residents. The bicycle unit, comprising 10 bicyclists, is headed by ASP Amna Baig. Each patrol squad comprises two bicyclists, and patrols in different sectors of the related precincts and help to prevent crime incidents besides facilitating the citizens. The unit members have been given special training and provided with all required facilities.

To launch this initiative of bicycle patrol, IGP Rehman did his due research. “Cycling experts were engaged in the thinking process, models of citizen-friendly policing were studied; and then, the squad members were put to training before giving them their tasks,” tells SP Rana Wahab. Keeping in mind the gender-sensitive issues, the police made sure that there was sufficient women representation in the squad. “We have two women officials in every police station.

Our Women’s Police Station is up to the mark and is visited by national and international experts more often than not,” adds Wahab. “With the bicycle squad initiative, the IGP intends to bridge the gap between the police and the citizens. And we are positive – and hope that the women police can vouch for this – that women will start to feel a better sense of security at public places due to this squad.”

Elaborating on the need for this bicycle squad, Amna sheds lights on how the idea came about. “The members of the bicycle squad move in public places, tourist squads and parks. Like in other cities of the country, these places attract anti-social elements in Islamabad as well.

The police have been receiving harassment complaints from women and even violence against them, in addition with other threats at these places through different channels. And not everyone calls the police in such situations. We find it challenging to move around in heavy vehicles or motorbikes there and the police cannot reach there instantly,” describes Amna.

“Hence, IGP Rehman took us on board to resolve this problem. The idea behind the launch of this squad is to ensure that police are present in the community. Our mere presence is enough to discourage these anti-social elements. And, when an incident of harassment or any other crime takes place, we reach there in time and call for backup, if needed. This is how it works,” she explains.

ASP Amna believes that while the nature of the crimes against women are not as violent in Islamabad, police are still vigilant and thorough. “In areas especially like Fatima Jinnah Park, you will find that boys gang up to harass women. Our squad not only stops them but also makes sure that people are following Covid protocols. 

Soon, you will see an all-woman unit patrolling Islamabad roads. This unit will move at the places which are frequented by women. The members of this unit will also go into halls and hotels so that women feel secure. We are hopeful that this will help us overcome the issue of underreporting that we often face with women reaching out to us, especially in harassment cases,” she elucidates.

When it comes to performing her duties, ASP Amna stresses on teamwork, “I am successful because of my team. In police work, it is never an ‘I’. From the IG down to the SHO, everyone moves with his or her team. Even on my social media, you will never find a single tweet mentioning that ‘I’ have done this or that. It is always ‘we’.”

Acknowledging the need for more women force, ASP Amna believes that the presence of women encourages the victims to come forward. In addition, she informs that they have a separate investigation from patrolling; and women police are engaged in investigation of crimes too. “For the first time, Islamabad police have appointed a woman as an investigation officer, which is a big step,” she highlights.

Furthermore, bringing attention to another development, Amna points towards a helpline that was recently set up by the Islamabad police for women, transgender people and children. “Due to Covid protocols, the inauguration of 8090 helpline has been a bit delayed but it is functional and soon we will have its opening ceremony. We designed the office of this helpline after doing a gender analysis of its infrastructure. During my service, I observed that children normally come to offices and other places along with their mothers. Hence, we have also set out some area for children to play at our helpline office in Police Facilitation Centre, F-6. We believe that any victim will feel comfortable in the premises.”

The women in uniform

In Pakistan, female police officers constitute only around 1.5 per cent of the entire police force, states the UN. This number is much lower in Balochistan, where structural and cultural barriers make it difficult for women to participate in the workforce beyond their traditional social roles. Pakistani women who are able to, may opt to become police officers; to experience working outside the confines of their traditional roles. However, the choice is often limited to either performing ‘desk work’ at a police office, carrying out body searches on women, or making way for police raids by knocking on people’s doors.

However, the good news is, there is a growing recognition for an increase in female personnel in security, particularly within the police. This is because women are more likely to feel more comfortable to enter police stations where police women are present, and the risk of sexual harassment toward them could be reduced.

There is a women’s police station found in Sitara Market, near Aabpara, Islamabad. Contrary to general police stations, this building is well-organised, neat and clean. While in most police stations, the SHO is replaced on an average of three to four months due to multiple reasons, this is not the case here. The average tenure of an SHO here is no less than two years.

Ms Misbah is a young and energetic SHO who talks about her duties. “Ever since I was a child, I wanted to wear a police or army uniform. Then, finally in 2009, I was selected in the Islamabad police,” she describes. “We mostly deal with cases of harassment, domestic violence and property disputes. So, my first concern has always been to make a victim feel comfortable. They (victims) are devastated emotionally and in some cases physically. They are at a loss to get themselves together and narrate what happened in a comprehensive way. So, we offer them water, ask them to relax. We try to empathise so we can help them better. Moreover, this also counters a sense of fear and disbelief about police in them,” she says.

When asked about how the general public responds to them, she adds “Usually at some protests people get violent with us. Otherwise in normal circumstances, people respect our uniform and it is very rare that they try to harass a uniformed woman.”

Ambreen Batool is the first woman investigation officer in Islamabad. Having an M.A. degree, Ambreen was selected as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in 2015. Competent and dedicated to her tasks, she is proud of the fact that she performs all the tasks just like her male colleagues. “I have worked at the gender protection cell and women police stations.

 Currently, I am working as an investigation officer at Kohsar Model Police Station. I work shoulder to shoulder with men, question criminals and go to court to present all kinds of criminal cases. I take criminals (mostly men) to court myself and I enjoy doing my job,” she enthuses.

Afsar Jehan is another devoted officer who is dedicated to the cause and as competent as her male counterparts. She is a member of the bicycle squad and rides her bicycle side by side with the policemen. She is from Karachi but has been enjoying her posting in Islamabad. “I think I have the ability to serve people in a better way by being part of this squad,” she says.