Speaking to hundreds of female metro police and emergency services officers during the launch of the Uniformed Female Officers in Community Safety Legacy Project in Thokoza last Wednesday morning, Dr Mashazi made it clear that the project is aimed at motivating and empowering female officers.
“This innovation is aimed at motivating and celebrating uniformed officers in the city, who despite the intricate nature of their work, continue to dedicate themselves to fighting lawlessness. Not only do they risk their lives on a daily basis, taking on heartless and brutal criminals, they continue to ensure that we are crime and lawlessness free as possible,” Dr Mashazi explained.
She added that she would love to see both the metro police and emergency services led by women.
Dr Mashazi said the city will be closely looking at the issue of career progression for female officers. She said it is common knowledge that this profession and a number of others have historically and continue to be dominated by males.
“The critical issues that we will be looking at include: do we have enough female officers in high positions? Is the career progression programme we have benefiting them?” she asked, adding that if the answer is negative, immediate action will have to be taken.
“Education is a key that opens all doors. It is a key that will unlock senior posts for our ladies, hence we must encourage them to seize the opportunity and further their studies,” Mashazi said.
She told the gathering the legacy project will run for the next five years. It is aimed at motivating and recognising the work of the female officers while also empowering them to do even better and occupy senior positions. It further encourages employment equity and equal working conditions for both male and female officers.
