Abstract
Playing a crucial role in investigations, community engagement, and order maintenance, policewomen in India go beyond mere representation. They uphold their communities as trustworthy guardians, contributing to the creation of a fair and just society. The current count of 2,46,103 policewomen, comprising 11.75% of the national law enforcement workforce, serves as a vital step forward, but gender balance remains a persistent challenge. Needless barriers such as societal norms, entrenched biases, and systemic obstacles still pose major challenges that hinder their growth, promotion, and recognition.

Absence of women in high-ranking police positions highlights how gender-based discrimination impedes their progress. Skewed posting policies, unfriendly working conditions, ramshackle barracks, non-availability of housing facilities, and marginalization from significant roles all compound the difficulties women encounter in the field of law enforcement. The poor representation of policewomen can be gauged from the number of policewomen heading the State, Police Commissionerate, District, Sub-division and Police Station.

Introduction
The presence of women in Indian law enforcement transcends symbolic representation, with their unwavering commitment evident across diverse policing areas. They play a crucial role in operations, providing invaluable support through investigative measures, community engagement, and maintaining order. Beyond policing scenarios, these women serve as reliable pillars in local neighbourhoods, fostering security and serenity.

Their compassionate approach bridges the gap between law enforcement and the public, fostering trust. Precision is paramount as they uphold laws, contributing to the integrity of the legal system. With a total of 2,46,103 policewomen on 01.01.2022, Uttar Pradesh leads in numbers, reflecting a 13.4% increase from 2020. The overall proportion of policewomen in the national workforce is 11.75%, with a Women Population per Women Police ratio of 2,706.33. Despite progress, women constitute only 11.7% of India's state police force, and no state has achieved its female reservation benchmark. Moreover, only 8.7% of higher police ranks are held by women. These statistics underscore the need for continued efforts to enhance diversity and inclusivity in law enforcement for overall effectiveness and responsiveness.

Entry of Policewomen
The inclusion of women in the police force emerged as a response to societal issues marked by violence, including crimes against women, individual violence, and child abuse. The goal was to enhance protective measures for girls and contribute to community safety. In feudal or semi-feudal societies, masculinity often dominates, excluding women from leadership and decision-making roles, leaving them dependent. Policing and criminal justice have traditionally been male-reserved domains. Women in policing have played crucial roles politically, socially, economically, and psychologically for over half a century. The physical demands of police work, including strict regimentation, night shifts, and facing unruly crowds, create significant stress.

Female police managers navigate these challenges along with traditional family responsibilities, highlighting the need for a family-friendly workplace. However, the absence of flexible working hours and childcare facilities underscores the lack of family-friendly practices in this traditionally male-dominated work culture. Many experts such as Burke (1999) have in recent years advocated for the concept of a family friendly workplace. Yet, there is a lack of certainty regarding the contribution of family friendly practices in helping employees, especially women, who juggle between family obligations and official duties. Flexible working hours schemes and provision of childcare facilities are absent in most jobs. The notion of family is absent in this traditionally male-dominated work culture.

Advantages of having Policewomen
The involvement of policewomen in law enforcement brings numerous advantages, including a tendency towards lesser violence compared to male officers. Policewomen excel in handling child abuse, violence against women, and sexual crimes, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives in criminal justice. Policewomen foster a more comfortable environment for victims, with even notorious criminals calming down in their presence. Complaints of custodial torture against policewomen are almost negligible as compared to their male counterparts.

They exhibit less condescension and bias, particularly against poor citizens, minorities and backward communities. Policewomen significantly impact policing and community relations by building trust, reducing complaints and lawsuits. Their problem-solving skills enhance investigative capacity, resulting in more efficient and sophisticated crime resolution, especially in cases of sexual abuse. The characteristics of policewomen contribute to creating a balanced, compassionate, and efficient justice system.

Research by Bell in 1982 confirmed women's competence and effectiveness as police officers. They've shown they can handle potential violence, talk to the public, and use methods more beneficial than sheer strength of male policemen. Facts suggest that policewomen surpass policemen at deescalating family disputes. A 1985 study by Homant and Kennedy noted policewomen's higher levels of concern, care, patience, and empathy in these situations. In 1987, Ott observed that the idea of female cops is often rejected by males, due to societal stereotypes that categorize policing as a man's work. A 1990 study by Hunt revealed that policewomen often introduce a culture of reformation rooted in caring and sensitivity to the force. Sherman (1975) asserts that the involvement of women in the police force significantly shapes politics, society, economy, and mental aspects.

Total Actual Strength of Women Police from 2016 to 2021 (Civil + District Armed Reserve + Special Armed + IRB)
GRAPH-1

Since 2016, India has witnessed a remarkable upswing in policewomen recruits, indicating a meaningful commitment to gender integration in the police force. With a significant surge in numbers from 140,154 in 2016 to 246,103 in 2021, it is evident that active steps implemented to foster gender diversity are paying off. Increased cognizance, campaigns for gender equality, and recruitment initiatives have all served as key drivers behind this trend. For policewomen to thrive in the workplace, they require ongoing encouragement and support, despite recent strides.

Even though it is evident that better methods for increasing women's involvement in law enforcement exist, the presence of prejudices and gender roles is still felt. It is vital to focus on diversity, efficacy, and inclusivity within the police force to continue making progress.

Strength of Women Police and Percentage of Women Police as on 01.01.2022 TABLE-1

Throughout different states and union territories of India, data presents an overview of female policewoman representation and distribution. Out of all states, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Chandigarh show higher proportions of women compared to the national average of 11.75%. A distinctive number of 28.34% stands out in Ladakh, highlighting a positive trend in female involvement.

However, Jammu and Kashmir depicts less representation with only 3.27%. Gender equity concerns are evident from the discrepancies, highlighting the necessity for specific measures to boost female participation in law enforcement groups around the country. Policymakers must take into account these differences while executing policies to encourage gender variety and equity enhancements in the Indian police.

Reservation of Women Police and Women Police Population Per Women Police TABLE-2

Gender disparity within the police force in India is approached differently across different states and union territories, with varying degrees of reservation percentages for women. Some states, like Bihar, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram, Punjab, Telangana, West Bengal and others don't have reservation policies for policewomen. However, states like Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, have reserved seats for policewomen though varying in overall percentage. It means we need a better plan to fight gender inequality. Part of this plan should include looking closely at reservation policies and consider how culture and society affect these policies.

Regional investigations, which take into consideration the realities on the ground, are of utmost importance. Discrepancies between resources and population indicate that integrating women into law enforcement is more efficient in some states like Delhi and Maharashtra, while Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh raise concerns about WPWP ratios. An examination of gender equality in the police force, which involves reviewing reservation policies, implementation of reservation policies and WPWP ratios, is necessary to improve overall management of crime and number of policewomen throughout the country.
 
Contribution of Policewomen 
Policewomen embody compassion and empathy and help in ensuring and securing communities’ safety and peace. They add real value by exploiting their specialized skills and distinctive views. These additions come in various forms including investigating and being part of the communities. Apart from enforcing laws exactly, these are the women who build the bridges of trust between police and civilians focusing on community-based peacemaking aimed at strengthened community security.

They are extremely important in ensuring that the integrity and efficacy of the criminal justice system. Women show zeal and are vital to running a legal system and upholding the law. This further highlights the need for diversity within law enforcement organizations whose employees take part actively in encouraging an attitude of inclusivity. These flexible environments therefore cater to the community adequately and contribute immensely to social welfare than just the mere picture. Through participating in different spheres of the law enforcement and remaining faithful and fair, women eventually enhance safe environment in society and equal justice.
 
Problems Faced by Policewomen 
In India, policewomen encounter a range of obstacles caused by ingrained gender biases and institutional problems. Discrimination and stereotypes often prevent policewomen from accessing opportunities for professional advancement and acknowledgement, which is evident in the scarcity of women occupying high-ranking and important positions within law enforcement agencies. Inadequate facilities, such as secure locations within police stations, only exacerbate the situation.

Emotional distress can also arise from sporadic contact with family members, particularly when working in distant locations. Policewomen are further hampered by various challenges, including issues with family and childcare, meagre strength in comparison to male colleagues, irregular recruitment to fill up the vacancies, poor food quality in mess, no provision for annual medical check up and psychological counselling, skewed promotion policy, homesickness, place of posting being far away from home, odd duty hours, shortage of vehicles and barracks, lack of housing facilities, jeers by male colleagues, deployment with male police personnel without the presence of any other policewoman, pressure of looking after family and children, and a lack of appropriate infrastructure at work with some police units not having proper washroom for police women.

The situation worsens when policewomen are deputed for field duty where it is difficult to find food or a suitable washroom for them. These difficulties can lead to family conflicts due to irregular work schedules and inadequate support systems.

Stress and burnouts among policewomen in the Indian police force can be traced back to inadequate mental health education. Addressing these obstacles calls for adjustments to policies, specialized training sessions that consider gender, and better resources for support. The lacking provision of proper protective gear for policewomen only adds to the problem. Studies indicate that policewomen opt out of advancement opportunities most likely because of the sacrifices they would have to make. Not only that, but they also frequently experience discrimination and disrespect from their male colleagues, making it harder for them to serve in diverse police functions.
 
According to Young (1991), male officers in the police may belittle their female counterparts, doubting their professional abilities and trying to dominate them. Unfortunately, as Wilkinsons and Froyland (1996) observe, for women seeking to climb the ranks and occupy higher posts, there may be significant personal costs associated with such a promotion. The findings of Brown and Campbell's (1991) study, exploring the work of female officers in Hampshire Constabulary, suggest that women in the force often end up on foot or in cars, policing in limited ways that don't offer much of a chance to get involved in responsible roles, such as managing detainees, patrolling the coast, regulating traffic, or working with dogs or in aviation.

Actual Strength of Policewomen in Civil Police in States/UTs As On 01.01.2022
TABLE-3

The table presents a breakdown of policewomen by lower ranks across states and union territories in India. Larger states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal have higher figures, with a national strength of 1,99,404. Constables (1,38,616) constitute a significant portion, emphasizing their frontline role in law enforcement. States like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have a substantial number of constables, showcasing a robust grassroots workforce. Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat show a notable presence of inspectors and sub-inspectors, indicating a strong leadership structure. Some regions, like Kerala and Chandigarh, lack certain ranks, possibly due to unique organizational structures. Non-uniform distribution highlights the diverse requirements and strategies of states, necessitating tailored approaches in policewomen management.
 
Conclusion: 
The call for modern day police leadership extends beyond tokenism towards genuine policewomen integration, necessitating equality in opportunity and postings free from gender-based assumptions. Radical reforms are essential to eradicate constraints on policewomen, fostering their active participation in all aspects of law enforcement including important assignments like CP, SP, SDPO, OC/SHO etc.

The other challenges faced by policewomen such as inadequate number, insufficient and unsuitable barracks, lack of family housing facilities, poor working conditions, distant postings, odd duty hours, skewed promotion policy, sexual harassment, to work alone in the company of male counterparts in the absence of any female colleague, absence of washroom for women at the place of duty, unavailability of cloakroom at the workplace, shortage of vehicles, long absence from work during pre and post-natal period, demands of family and children, so called insignificant postings, and discrimination by male peers etc require urgent attention. Adequate housing facilities, a women-friendly environment, and provisions at the workplace are crucial.

Women's contributions to diverse approaches in maintaining law and order, combating gender violence and crimes against women and children emphasize the need for significant roles and effective reforms in policing. A proper plan to look into the problems of policewomen matched by generous investment in this regard is needed along with filling up the vacancies and increasing their overall numerical strength. The training curriculum should also be made friendly to policewomen keeping their special requirements in mind.

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