A recent comprehensive study by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru has shed light on the significant challenges confronting women in the police force. The findings reveal that despite shouldering a substantial burden of routine police tasks, women constables are frequently overlooked for more impactful and meaningful assignments. Instead of being actively involved in crucial investigations, including sensitive sexual assault cases, their roles are often reduced to mere token gestures, like accompanying survivors or being present during statement recordings. Furthermore, the study underscored pressing safety concerns, particularly for women officers assigned to night duty.
Female constables interviewed for the study recounted daily obstacles and prejudices seldom encountered by their male counterparts. A woman constable from Mysuru candidly shared her frustration: “Nearly 90% of the work in police stations is handled by women, yet many men believe we contribute very little.”
This sentiment was echoed by many female officers surveyed between 2021 and 2023, who expressed feeling that their hard work and dedication consistently go unacknowledged and unvalued within the department.
The study, which gathered insights from various focus groups, highlighted significant discomfort among over 50% of women constables in regions like Raichur and Chikkaballapura. A critical issue identified was the appalling lack of adequate and clean sanitation facilities; many women reported intentionally limiting their water intake during prolonged duties, such as ‘bandobast’ (security deployments), to avoid using unhygienic or non-existent washrooms. Additionally, a pervasive problem of inappropriate comments, gestures, and behavior was noted, though fear of retaliation or dismissal by superiors largely prevented open reporting.
Despite these systemic challenges, women constables voiced their readiness and capability to undertake all types of police duties, emphasizing that with fundamental support, such as access to two-wheelers for ‘bandobast’ operations, they could perform effectively and without hindrance.
Devyani Srivastava, Senior Manager (Research) and project lead at NLSIU, underscored the broader implications of these findings. “Achieving true gender parity in the police force is not merely a constitutional obligation, but an operational necessity,” Srivastava stated. She explained that a police institution enriched by diverse skill sets and varied lived experiences is inherently more capable of addressing contemporary safety and security challenges. Srivastava concluded by asserting that while boosting the representation of women in the force is vital, this must be accompanied by comprehensive gender-responsive policies, improved facilities, appropriate training, and robust infrastructure to yield genuinely transformative results.