The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, has launched the international conference “Women in Law Enforcement: Roles, Challenges, and Prospects”.
The two-day event, held in Chișinău, brings together senior officials, experts, and leaders in law enforcement, as well as representatives from member countries of 15th Region of the International Association of Women Police. The conference serves as a platform for dialogue and the exchange of best practices on advancing the role of women in law enforcement institutions within an increasingly complex regional security environment.
The agenda features key topics such as advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, promoting inclusive leadership in law enforcement agencies, strengthening cooperation with civil society, and integrating a gender perspective into security policies.
Minister of Internal Affairs Daniella Misail-Nichitin opened the conference by highlighting the importance of women in law enforcement and their contribution to improving the quality of services delivered to citizens:
“A more diverse police is better equipped to understand the needs of society, prevent violence, and respond with empathy in crisis situations. Ultimately, diversity leads to better, more responsive public services”.
The conference was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Doina Gherman, who underscored the critical role of gender equality in the security and law enforcement sectors:
“I firmly believe that when women are empowered to lead in the security and defense sectors and to participate actively in peace processes, societies become safer, more resilient, and more inclusive. We are proud of our achievements: our courageous women lead institutions, contribute to peacekeeping missions, and play a vital role in the development of our society”.
Kateryna Pavlichenko, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and coordinator of 15the Region of the International Association of Women Police, highlighted the strong partnership with the Republic of Moldova and the importance of regional cooperation:
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, as well as to our international partners -the Global Security Sector Reform Foundation, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova – for their support, trust, and the high level of organization of this event. It is extremely important for Ukraine to have the opportunity to work in a professional and collaborative environment. Today, we are united by a shared understanding of the region’s security challenges and responsibilities, as well as by a common commitment to promoting equal opportunities in the security sector. I am confident that through the exchange of experience, the strengthening of professional ties, and mutual support, we can build a modern, resilient, and effective security system”.
The Deputy Head of the General Police Inspectorate of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Lupan, spoke about the evolving role of women in policing and their impact on service quality:
“History and experience have shown that security cannot be fully achieved if the voice of half the population is absent. The role of women in the National Police has evolved from a symbolic presence to a strategic one: women not only strengthen our ranks, but also bring essential skills that enhance the quality of policing and build public trust”.
The conference will continue tomorrow with sessions focused on psychosocial support for law enforcement personnel in post-crisis contexts, the presentation of international best practices, and the development of a sustainable framework for gender equality in policing. These discussions will feature panels moderated by both international and national experts.
The international conference “Women in Law Enforcement: Roles, Challenges, and Prospects” is organized with the support of the Global Security Sector Reform Foundation, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the European Union Partnership Mission in Moldova.
