Rwanda National Police

Police Chiefs’ representatives from five Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) member countries have convened in Kigali to translate Phase One findings of the Empowering Every Badge (EEB) project into country-specific priorities and actions for Phase Two.

The four-day process opened on Monday, September 21, at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters. It brings together police leaders from Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles and Tanzania, the Gender Sub-Committee, the EAPCCO Secretariat and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA).

The process runs as two two-day meetings. Chiefs’ representatives set strategic direction in the first, and the EAPCCO Gender Sub-Committee turns it into actions. The second will focus on sustaining progress beyond the project, including gender-responsive reporting, accountability and peer-support networks.

Representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Chairman of EAPCCO, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, DCG Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, opened the meeting.

“We are deeply honoured that Kigali was chosen to host this important meeting that marks the transition from evidence to action under the Empowering Every Badge Phase II Project.” DCG Ujeneza said.

She said Phase One identified barriers to women’s recruitment, retention and career progression, including progression to senior leadership. Having the Chiefs give direction, and the Sub-Committee implement, she said, ensures ownership from the top and action at the technical level.

EAPCCO Secretariat Chief Executive Officer and Head of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa, Mr. Apollo S. Africa, said police leadership had positively received the findings and would identify actions suited to each country’s existing legislation and policies.

Ms. Tina Mykkanen, UNODC Technical Expert, said the project goes beyond increasing the representation of women in law enforcement to understanding what enables them to enter, remain, progress and lead.

“Perhaps one of the clearest lessons from the first phase is that representation alone is not enough,” she said.

EEB is a regional initiative implemented by EAPCCO, UNODC and partners to promote gender equality and women's leadership in law enforcement across Eastern Africa. It is funded by the Government of Germany. RNP reaffirmed its support for Phase Two, with its Regional Centre of Excellence ready to host training and knowledge exchange.