Women in blue display equality

With women continuing to fight for equal opportunities, especially in male-dominated fields, female officers of the Honeydew Police displayed gender equality when they undertook a female-led roadblock on Friday, 7 August.

Carrying the spirit of Women’s Month in their hearts, the women in blue, led by Honeydew Sector 3 manager Captain Karen Jacobs, conducted a crime-awareness roadblock between Marina Road and South Africa Drive in Zandspruit.

The operation, which a few male counterparts joined in on, comprised vehicle and individual searches and crime awareness.

Captain Jacobs, who was among many active women during the operation, explained the purpose.

“This operation was part of Women’s Month. We decided to conduct a crime awareness campaign and roadblock to search and sensitise people about crime in their areas, especially relating to gender-based violence,” she said.

When asked about challenges women face in a male-dominated industry, Jacobs said they as female colleagues do not receive any special treatment and do not expect any.

“There aren’t a lot of challenges. You just need to understand that you are in a male-dominated environment. Also, you cannot apply for a job and expect to be treated differently,” she said.

She emphasised that all the female officers at the station are able to do whatever their male counterparts are capable of. “We all work together, and we do exactly what our male colleagues do which is why you find females in all units in our environment – whether it is mounted, dog, crime prevention or task force units,” she explained.

Besides discouraging gender-based violence during the operation, Jacobs and her team encouraged motorists who were contravening Covid-19 regulations to adhere to government policies. Those who were without masks in their cars, were provided with some by the caring Honeydew female police officers.

After the roadblock, these dedicated officers did not take a break; they continued with their other tasks to combat crime.