The Role of Community Policing in Reducing Gender based Violence against Women and Girls in Addis Ababa: The Case of Gulele Sub City, Woreda One
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Date
2019-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Community policing is a strategy that is implemented in several countries, including Ethiopia to counter crime. It is also considered as having a role to address the pervasive problem of gender based violence in its participatory approach. In this context, this study was conducted with the objective to assess the role of community policing in reducing gender-based violence against women and girls in Gulele sub-city Woreda one. Methodologically, it has applied a qualitative research approach and exploratory research design to undertake the study. The primary data was collected through in-depth interviews, FGD and key informant interview while the secondary sources of information depended on a desk review of relevant documents. The study found out that the major forms of gender-based violence in the study area are rape, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. The role of community policing and community police is found to be significant in countering GBV, but it is not adequately reported since it affects the victims who are in a relatively lower status in terms of age, socio-economic status, and power relations. The community police officers are working for the prevalence of peace and security and for the proper functioning of the community in the area, but it also identified that there is lack of specific work and practice that have been aiming to address the pervasive problem of GBV and a mechanism to reduce it enormously. The study revealed that the community is not actively collaborating with the community police officers in preventing crime/abuse against women and girls. The findings further reveal that Women and Children Affairs of the sub-city and Woreda their collaboration with the community policing office is not strong to the extent of fighting or preventing gender-based violence. In conclusion, the findings of the study pave the way to enhance the implementation or practices of community policing programs and policymakers need to pay attention to integrate GBV issues in the community policing program.
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Keywords
Gender-Based Violence, Community Policing, Assault Protection Committee, Rape