International Association of Women Police
"[1][2] According to the IAWP website, its mission, as stated in Article III, is to “strengthen, unite and raise the profile of women in criminal justice internationally”.
Its vision is to ensure that “women’s lives [are] free from discrimination, valued for their contribution, and treated with respect and dignity.
To contribute by being an example of excellence in securing a safe, harmonious workplace and society as partners in safety in the criminal justice system”.
[4][5] Lois Higgins, a veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was elected the association's president, and under her leadership the IAWP grew in strength and numbers.
[4] The Records of the International Association of Women Police are housed in the Lloyd Sealy Library Special Collections, John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
[8] The IAWP promotes the idea that female officers should not live in fear of harassment, and should be treated with respect and fairness from each of their coworkers.
Sanda K. Wells and Betty L. Alt discuss the many forms of harassment in their book “Police Women: Life With a Badge.
One of the main forms of discrimination, as discussed in Well's and Alt's book “Police Women: Life With a Badge” is gender harassment.
For example, not being provided a separate place from men in order to change into the work uniform is defined as a form of discrimination.
Because of this, some employees see this as grounds to discriminate against pregnant coworkers, and some agencies fail to provide basic rights such as maternity uniforms or leave benefits for these policewomen.
Lastly, women tend to not receive equal consideration for special training and important assignments as men.
For the most part few women participate in policing in Europe, and still have a difficult time receiving the same treatment as men, however, according to Tanja Van Der Lippe, Anne Graumans, and Selma Sevenhuijsen, authors of “Gender Policies and the Position of Women in the Police Force in European Countries,” inequalities may still exist now, but at the rate of how things are changing, it is more than possible to change the social norms that have been engrained into the minds of people on the police force.
[10] The IAWP has an intense focus on this area, and works to promote fairness amongst both men and women that hold careers in the criminal justice system.
There is also a sense of humiliation that goes along with this process; if the police woman is approached by a man willing to pay for sexual favors, that in itself may feel wrong and inappropriate to some women.
However, on the opposite end of the spectrum, if a police woman is not approached or asked for her services, her colleagues may make fun of her for not being able to pick anyone up.
[14] The IAWP makes it known that women are quite capable of handling various difficulties that will appear on the job, and though stress may be difficult to manage, it is not impossible.
Though the journey may be difficult for women in this field, Shulz goes on to say that it is definitely not impossible for a woman to reach the top of this career path.
Due to the dramatic increase in female members in the criminal justice system, the IAWP has only become more influential and helpful in promoting women across international borders.
[18] The IAWP holds annual training conferences in major international cities, featuring invited speakers and exhibitors.
