Indonesia to Train Afghan Policewomen

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian Government plans to train Afghan policewomen at the end of this year under the Triangular Cooperation scheme with Norway. This training is part of the Triangular Cooperation among Indonesia, Norway and Afghanistan, Indonesia's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement posted on its official website today. The plan to hold the training was conveyed by Indonesian Ambassador to Afghanistan Anshory Tadjudin during a courtesy call on Afghanistan's Minister of Home Affairs Mohammed Umer Daudzai in Kabul, on Nov. 2. Ambassador Tadjudin said one problem Afghan policewomen faced was their unpreparedness in playing their role. They are confronted by challenges from Afghan society, as well as their male colleagues. However, their presence was crucial and increasingly necessary considering the need to protect Afghan women and children who frequently become victims of crimes and domestic violence. It is, therefore, necessary to increase professionalism among Afghan policewomen to handle crimes against women and children. Umer Daudzai expressed his gratitude and responded positively to the proposal of providing assistance in training Afghan policewomen. It is a challenge for the home affairs ministry to produce a professional Afghan female police force which can provide good service to the public, mainly to women and children, he added. At present Afghanistan has 5,000 women in its police force, and the number is expected to double to 10,000 in 2014. If the training organized by Indonesia is found to be helpful, the Afghan Government will continue cooperation with the Indonesian Government with the support of donor countries, the Indonesian embassy in Kabul said, quoting the Afghan minister.(*) (tz. f001/ INE)