Hundreds of Ugandan policewomen took over security on the streets of the capital Kampala to make a statement about women’s empowerment as the world celebrates women’s month.
They came out on March 1 dressed in their brown, black and white uniforms representing the different branches of the Uganda Police Force as they “womanned” the streets at the admiration of the public.
Commuters and passersby took photographs with the women while others took to social media using the hashtag #WomaningTheStreets to commended them for keeping the streets safe.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police Asan Kasingye also applauded them for their efforts in bridging the gender divide in the police and working ably as their fellow men.
We applaud them for keeping our streets safe. https://t.co/U1wedcadSg
— Asan Kasingye (@AKasingye) March 1, 2018
According to the Uganda Association of Women Police, their objectives were: to provide a platform for uniting, strengthening and building the capacity of women officers in policing, to empower women to appreciate their career line so that they do not feel powerless and unappreciated and to free Female Police officers from any form of discrimination, unvalued contributions, ill-treatment so as to promote respect and dignity.
“Yesterday we took over the junctions in KLA. We received overwhelming support from the public so today we are giving back by offering self-defence classes to the public,” says the organisation.
#IWD2018 is in 6 days! Women in @PoliceUg have taken the lead & formed the #UAWP. Yesterday we took over the junctions in KLA. We received overwhelming support from the public so today we are giving back by offering self defense classes to the public. #PressForProgress pic.twitter.com/mRJOSkcC0Y
— Uganda Association of Women Police (@UGWomenPolice) March 2, 2018
The policewomen are gearing towards March 8 which is marked worldwide as the International Women’s Day to commemorate the movement for women’s rights.
However, there were mixed reactions from the public towards the gesture of the Ugandan policewomen.
Below are some comments on Twitter:
This business of Female police officers taking the front-line in everyday police work shouldn’t be Women’s day theatrics.
It should be everyday work. Because they’re trained and capable of the work their male counterparts lead in. #WomaningTheStreets— ☆Joanitah? (@Nvannungi_) March 1, 2018
So glad to see the female @PoliceUg #WomaningTheStreets today. Our gratitude goes to the women in Uniform who sacrifice to protect and serve this country. Credit Photo: @UGWomenPolice pic.twitter.com/lVucwVdA7b
— Ivan K. Otim (@Ivanotimk) March 1, 2018
#WomaningTheStreets is nice and everything but it won’t make us forget how the police is failing the nation.
— Charlene (@TulaWansi) March 1, 2018
Someone sat and convinced @PoliceUg that this #WomaningTheStreets is …. smh. As a tax payer I am not sure how to react.
— . (@Omuteso) March 1, 2018
So after Police women take the “fore front” then what?
Will there be no more women murders in Uganda?
Will we see justice for those who have been brutally murdered?
Will Police handle sexual assault cases better?
Or it’s just all for PR?#WomaningTheStreets— Faith Liam Mulungi (@Omulungi_Hawt) March 1, 2018
After seeing the Female @PoliceUg #WomaningTheStreets, I decided to take a Selfie with this HOT Afande. I even got her Contacts! ??As #Hotelsexpo2018 prepares to celebrate the #IWD2018, Our gratitude goes to all the Women who Protect & Serve.
?#Hotelsexpo2018 due 6-8 Sept 2018 pic.twitter.com/SCc1G4D6Zz— #HotelsExpo2018 (@hotelrestexpo) March 2, 2018
I think this #WomaningTheStreets thing is what caused this so much rain pic.twitter.com/g5e3rnmxoI
— Conrad N (@conrad_nuwagaba) March 1, 2018
Hehe. This is a bad attitude towards the police in general. Also I don’t think those trashing #WomaningTheStreets even know what it’s about. They think the ladies are pulling a PR stunt.
— ✨Mrs 007✨ (@kakatshozi_) March 1, 2018
Has anyone seen the female @PoliceUg #WomaningTheStreets this #IWD2018 month. We need to emulate this in Kenya as a show of our gratitude to the women who protect and serve. @PoliceKE pic.twitter.com/lj81dsYHVK
— ???. ????? (@SirKevinMash) March 2, 2018
So ya’ll who are criticizing #WomaningTheStreets ,
What will you not criticize?
Why do you think that you’re always right?
All I’m saying is that It’s okay to be skeptical of anything but don’t be stupid at everything.
— that_nyankore_bae ?? (@don_atngz) March 1, 2018
Random question.
Now @PoliceUg is #WomaningTheStreets (great FYI – more compassion and better global thinking is expected), what are the men doing?
Investigating murders, back in training or just drinking malwa?#AskingForAFriend
— #Freedom (@benmugu) March 1, 2018
#WomaningTheStreets is a mockery when we still haven’t caught the people that murder women by the day! Otherwise its “More of the same” like JPAM said.
— Agaba Primus (@primagaba) March 1, 2018
I want to know what #WomaningTheStreets means for the safety of women in this country.
This is ideally a step forward for representation, but will these women officers have an actual impact or is this just face value for March then they’ll go back to being sidelined?— Charlene (@TulaWansi) March 1, 2018
See the women in action below:
