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Message Of Support From The Acting National Commissioner Of The South African Police Service, Lt General J K Phahlane, At The Sarpcco Training Conference For Women In October 2015

It has been eight years since the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) approved the establishment of its Women’s Network. Over the years, many splendid achievements were attained in pursuit of a better working environment for women in policing across our borders:

The Women’s Network has embarked on the noble, yet huge, task of furthering female empowerment in law enforcement in the region. We function on a continent that has, as with most policing agencies across the globe, been associated with discrimination against women in the past.

One of the main objectives of the Women’s Network is to continuously challenge and change the status quo, particularly in policing across Africa. We have the responsibility of breaking through this imaginary glass ceiling.

Meeting here again, sends a steadfast message that we are realising our potential as women and are acting on decisions and goals that we have been setting for ourselves since the inception of SARPCCO’s Women’s Network. This network has indeed made great strides in unearthing untapped potential within its ranks.

This conference yet again brings together important, experienced, senior, female leaders across our member states who will share and empower each other in specific areas of our profession as law-enforcement officials.

The conference has especially encouraged interaction and networking among women across our borders, and has inspired us to familiarise ourselves with constant changes confronting policing in our own countries, regionally and internationally.

Research, presentations and courses that have been presented to members have contributed to the successful conferences we have held before. This year, SARPCCO’s Women’s Network focuses on the empowerment of women, which has resulted in the development of the following courses specifically for women:

  • SARPCCO’s Command and Leadership Course for Senior Women
  • SARPCCO’s Command and Leadership Course for Emerging Women;
I am certain that this gathering will again be a resounding success. The robust engagements that will seek to transform SARPCCO and the female emancipation agenda will flourish and bear fruit for the future generation of SARPCCO. May the proceedings of this gathering be a source of reference and anchor of excellence as we tread carefully toward female empowerment and in our endeavour to rid our SADC region of crime.