The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has launched a virtual exhibition celebrating the role of women in policing.
The exhibition commemorates the 20th anniversary of the adoption of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1325, “Women, Peace, and Security”.
Phillipa Adams, representing the AFP at the Australian Mission to the UN in New York, said the exhibition was intended to highlight the achievements of woman in policing on the world stage and demonstrate the AFP’s mission to be a world leading police service in the practice of gender mainstreaming, building gender capability and the prevention of gender-based crime wherever the AFP operates.
“It is a privilege to represent the AFP in New York and at the UN, and never more so than when being able to launch an exhibit like this – showing the proud history of the AFP, its commitment to service, its contribution to policing and peacekeeping, and its ongoing pursuit of diversity and inclusiveness to ensure it represents all Australians. It is an ethos and contribution of which all Australians can be justly proud,” Ms Adams said.
The exhibition provides a narrative on the evolution of the role of women in the AFP, including their contribution to peacekeeping and peacebuilding in conflict and post-conflict settings via UN Missions and Regional Assistance Missions.
The exhibition highlights the journey of women within the AFP, and demonstrates the transformation of women in law enforcement roles, starting with the first female Peace Officers in 1942.
During World War II, with an obvious shortage of men, it was decided to use women as Peace Officers to guard various Commonwealth buildings, although they were only paid 60 % of their male counterpart’s wage.
In 1988, the first Australian female Police Officer was deployed to a UN Peacekeeping Mission. Kathy Burdett was deployed to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus – 32-years after the first contingent of Australian Police arrived.
In a statement, the AFP said it continues to work hard to achieve gender equality, and acknowledges that women have been full, active and effective members of the AFP since its inception.
The exhibition can be viewed on the Women, Police and Peace page.
