In the Introduction speech the Chairperson of the Conference Smt. Kanchan Choudhary Bhattacharya pointed out that when a small number of women first came into the police in 1938 their steps were tentative, their role ill defined and the reasons of their being given entry, extraneous to the need for policing. This fact holds true almost the world over. History tells that in the UK, after various initial rejections, women were finally allowed entry in measurable numbers during the early forties, the war years, when the men were not there to man the police department.

Their acceptance, or lack of it, has also shown a similar trajectory. There has long been confusion in the department, to differing degrees in different parts of the country, on how they must be treated. From virtual ignore, to waiting for the women themselves to show how they can fit the departmental sub culture, or assigning them the so called ‘softer jobs’ the departments have missed successive opportunities to effectively utilize this talent pool.

The police sub culture also generates confusion for these women- are they meant to fit the male mould to win respectability in the organization? For some years many of us, sought to belong through this route. That apart, are women to accept peripheral telephone and reception duties in sacrifice for having to look after their families or as the price for grudging tolerance? Naturally such treatment results in low esteem, poor confidence and of course, resentment that leaves little scope for dedication or pride in the job. At stake however is also a huge resource comprising women whose talent and contribution are devalued, under utilized or frittered away.

Delivering his inaugural address on the topic: “Police – Can It Evolve A Secure And Harmonious Society”2 , His Execellency the President stressed the role of women police in enforcing law and order with compassion, and advised a focus on training women for dealing with technology driven crimes, such as cyber crimes, for which they are ideally suited. He set the tone and trend of discussions in the conference by suggesting that we consider increasing the percentage of women in police to 10% by the year 2007. Widespread gender sensitisation for both men and women, special facilities for women such as crèches, maternity facilities and flexible working hours wherever possible, and the need to ensure equal opportunities for men and women in the police were other areas that the conference needed to consider, he said.

The Honourable President also expressed the sincere hope that the Conference would make positive recommendations not only to improve the working conditions for women in the police but also to create opportunities for learning and for training them for much higher and more difficult tasks. “I would even go to the extent of suggesting that there is need to provide a better working environment for women police than for their male counterparts particularly because a woman has to perform the highly demanding role of being an efficient police officer and also a devoted wife and mother,” he said.

His Excellency the Governor of Uttaranchal Shri Sudarshan Agarwal said that while it was be true that the careers & exploits of women Police officers such as Dr. Kiran Bedi & DGP Uttaranchal Smt. Kanchan Choudhary Bhattacharya .., have continued to capture the popular imagination, but somehow this good will created by high profile role models has not translated on the ground in terms of both better participation rates of women in police& greater sensitivity to women & their problems by the department.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister stated that Uttaranchal was committed to the creation of an environment to enable women to realize their full potential every respect. our state is providing equal access to women in health care, quality education at all levels, career and vocational guidance, employment, social security etc…strengthening the legal systems to enable us to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women: social, political, economic.

Active encouragement is being given setting up of Women Police stations, all women PAC companies, and giving fair representation to women in all the civil and armed police. Family courts, Mahila courts, counselling centres, legal aid centres & Nyaya Panchayats are also being strengthened in this respect. This is reason why Uttaranchal is the first State to have a Woman DGP.