Baghdad policewomen's roles expand as they rise in ranks
As more women join Iraqi police forces and become more visible on the streets, they believe the public — and their colleagues — will become more accepting.
BAGHDAD — As in many places, women who work in law enforcement in Iraq have yet to achieve equality with their male counterparts, but they're making progress.
The Rescue Directorate of the Ministry of Interior deployed Nov. 17 a group of policewomen to patrol the streets of Baghdad and monitor the gates of girls’ schools, colleges, institutes and markets in a bid to combat harassment in public places. That's just one aspect of their jobs.
First Lt. Sulaf Kazem Jaber, who works in the Adhamiya Traffic Section, performs her daily job on the street wearing her official uniform. She shared with Al-Monitor how the community’s perception of her work as a policewoman has changed since she began working for the traffic police in 2008.
“During the first year of my work, my colleagues and I faced many difficulties and were looked down upon. Today, people have become accustomed to our presence on the street and have started treating us with greater respect," she said.
