Mixing it up: Police Gender-Based Violence Seminar
Zehra, Afghan criminal investigative division, takes notes during a lecture at the Gender Seminar at Herat Regional Training Center, July 28, 2011. The class covers topics that include abuse on women and children and this is the fifth time the class has been taught in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Samara Scott)
By Tech Sgt Samara Scott
RSC-West Public Affairs/NTM-A Public Affairs
HERAT, Afghanistan — More than 80 men and women from the Afghan National Police and Afghan National Border Patrol came together at the Herat Regional Training Center to participate in a Gender Based Violence Seminar on July 22-28.
The seminar was taught by an Italian Professor of Psychology, Dr. Anna Baldry. This is the fifth and final seminar that Dr. Baldry has conducted. Other seminars have taken place in Kabul and Kandahar and they were so successful, she brought the class to Herat.
The seminars consisted of three two-day classes that included lecture, group activities and role playing scenarios. Many topics were discussed, including, domestic violence and gender based violence, women’s roles, stereotypes and attitudes in Islamic countries versus western countries.
“Before I came here to teach the class, I did research on case studies, the culture and laws here,” said Dr. Baldry. “I came here to provide them with skills and knowledge that I know and adjust it to their culture. I want them to understand that crimes against women are unacceptable even in a society where women are still viewed in a weaker position.”
Doctor Anna Baldry, Italian professor of psychology, teaches a Gender Seminar to Afghan police and border patrol at Herat Regional Training Center, July 28, 2011. This is the fifth class that Dr. Baldry has taught in Afghanistan. The class covers topics that include abuse on women and children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Samara Scott)
During the day, Dr. Baldry discussed different topics, and showed video clips related to the topics. After watching the clips, she divided the class into four groups, mixing men and women to ensure they work together. She had the groups discuss the topics and talk about different experiences they may have encountered and how they would handle it. She then set up several role playing scenarios for the teams so she could observe and offer suggestions on how to approach the case from another angle.
“This is a really good seminar,” said Zehra of the Afghan Criminal Investigative Division. “Being a women police officer can be challenging, but the experience here has given me more confidence to be stronger and stand up for women’s rights.”
Dr. Baldry hopes that in the future she can come back and teach the seminar in other areas of the country.
Category: News - Afghan National Police, News - General, News - News
Nice article, keep up the great work!