Bangladesh Police break new ground

It was a packed agenda and a full house for the 1st Asia Women Police Conference held this past week in Dahka, Bangladesh. The conference began with an Opening Ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel. By the time honored guests took to the stage (featured below) there were more news cameras than I have ever seen before in one room.

Mylan Masson (below right) and a female police peacekeeper (below left) wait for the opening ceremony to begin. The conference was partly sponsored by the UNDP. I was very impressed to learn that Bangladesh is the largest contributing nation of female police peacekeepers. They have sent two full female police units to UN missions in the last few years.

Margaret is featured here with Sadia (below right) who was our host at the Bangladesh Police Staff College. She is an instructor at the college.

The conference featured many sessions on female police leadership. This panel featured high ranking officers from (left to right) Pakistan, South Africa, IAWP (President Townsley) and Bangladesh. This session generated much discusssion among the audience and panelists.

Our new UN friend gave her unique perspective on the importance of police women on UN missions. She has been on both sides of the line in post conflict situations because she grew up in war torn country.

I can say enough about the effort of IAWP Region 15 Coordinator Amena Begum to coordinate this conference. In her own words she used Situational Leadership because she was put into the situation of pulling this successful event together in just under one year! She has reason to be smile.

Congratulations to the Bangladesh Police and the Bangladesh Police Women Network for a wonderful conference. IAWP looks forward to the Second Annual Conference next year in Indonesia.