Laurie Freeman, deputy program director for the US State Department’s Office of Counterterrorism, indicated that the United States is very committed to promoting women’s peace and security in the sub region.
She said it is a priority for the department that women have a say on issues that affect them, including issues of security, conflict, and are committed to supporting them.
She addressed reporters during a digital panel discussion for the Women in Security Symposium in Nairobi, Kenya.
The event will be attended by over three dozen law enforcement and security professionals from eight nations, including the United States, Kenya, Ghana, the United Kingdom, Niger, Senegal, Tunisia and Albania.
Part of the Global EMPoWER (Engaging Multinational Policewomen on Equity and Right) initiative, the symposium will provide a platform for female security personnel to engage in open discussion on issues related to their career advancement, while promoting efforts to combat the terrorism.
She went on to say that the purpose of the symposium is to provide women law enforcement officers with specialized training, mentoring and networking opportunities to prepare them to take on greater responsibilities.
“We want to equip these women to be successful in their chosen careers as law enforcement officers,” she said.
They add that their male colleagues will also attend the event to hear some of the challenges these women face, their success stories and how men can help these women reach higher levels in their fields as well.
Heather Rauch, acting assistant director of the United States Department of Justice’s International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program, who was part of the speaker, also explained that the program trains law enforcement and addresses gender diversity in law enforcement. ‘order.
“We saw a huge turnout from people from many countries over the weekend and we saw challenges and successes.”
She said the inspiration for the program came from a conversation between diplomats with Kenyan and Somali law enforcement, who specifically said they wanted a system that would allow them to recruit, train and promote women into the military. order.
She adding, “This is an amazing partnership coming from law enforcement executives.”
The Engaging Multinational Policewomen on Equality and Rights (EMPoWER) program offers women targeted attention through professional training, mentoring and networking, and promotes organizational change that recognizes the benefits of gender diversity in the fight against terrorism.
Established in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, the EMPoWER team has started conducting virtual focus groups with police officers in Albania, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Kosovo. Focus groups allow EMPoWER to adapt its activities to the specific needs of each country.
