Meet officer who protects rights of female cops

On first impression, Masoud Mwinyi cuts the image of a strict officer. That’s expected of him at work as a police officer.

But this senior administration policeman has another side to him – still about work – that has seen his name being favourably mentioned in the international circles.

The 49-year-old is the only male in the Kenya Women Association in Policing, and keeps encouraging his male colleagues to join the group to advocate for the recognition of the efforts made by women in combating crime.

The Senior Superintendent of Police was among the team that developed the Kenya National Action Plan on the Implementation of the United Nation’s Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1325, which envisages equality and participation of women in conflict resolution, peace and security promotion around the globe.

WHAT IS ON PAPER

And even though the resolutions have not fully been implemented in Kenya, Mr Mwinyi is already practising some of what is on the paper.

He explains why: “I was brought up in the coastal counties of Mombasa and Kwale, and raised up just by my mother after my parents divorced when I was still very young.

“I observed that she would struggle so much to raise us, feed us, to educate and clothe us as well as meet her personal obligations. I saw a woman with unrivalled strength. It was not easy for her but she made it and I attribute everything I am now to her.”

Mwinyi’s mother derived her income from vending foodstuff. Through the experience, Mwinyi developed the urge to champion for women’s rights.

When he joined the police service in 1986, he observed that the female colleagues were specially committed and responsible, and deserved support.

DUTIES FOR WOMEN

Comparing his female colleagues and his mother reinforced his resolve that being a woman did not mean being a lesser worker, and neither did it reduce their status, ability or competence.

He says he found out that at times getting results from female colleagues was more prompt and reliable. He quickly clarifies:

“I am not saying my male colleagues are unreliable. I am only trying to dispel long-held prejudice that female workers cannot match males in executing duties.”

He is against assigning duties that appear designed specially for women because, in his view, he says, there are no duties for females or males in the service.

But even in his advocacy for gender equality in the service, he is alive to the fact that vulnerability levels are different between the genders.

In instances where the female officers appear more exposed than their male counterparts, Mwinyi advises protection and fair treatment.

“Just because we are equally trained does not mean the line of vulnerability is the same. Male colleagues should understand that the vulnerability is not a source or a sign of weakness. It only means that they are biologically different and therefore males should play the role of a protector,” he explains.

WOMEN EXCLUDED

For example, women cops have unique social roles and needs that include child-bearing and taking care of domestic chores.

“She may be breastfeeding, and would need to work shorter hours. This should be understood,” Mwinyi says and poses: “Do we take a moment to reflect what the female colleague go through in a typical day as we work and make jokes?”

Mr Mwinyi describes female police officers as a resource that should be harnessed and appreciated as envisioned in resolution 1325 of the UNSC.

Though the resolution is yet to be implemented in the country, the spokesperson declares that he has a roadmap for implementing it.

The UNSCR1325 acknowledges the fact that warfare is changing and civilians, particularly women, are increasingly targeted, yet women continue to be excluded from peace processes.

It addresses not only the inordinate impact of war on women, but also the pivotal role they should play in conflict management and resolution.

And so, Mr Mwinyi, by trying to implement the resolution on his own, has been involved in mentoring women and encouraging them to work harder towards promotion of peace.

“Women can be leaders. They can be mentors, and they can be managers ... I want to implement resolution 1325 in a smaller way even before we implement the action plan formerly. Not everything in plan has financial implication,” he argues.