Over the past three years, Costa Rica’s police force has gone from having 3 percent of female officers to 17 percent as the agency has incorporated a gender perspective into their polices, said Deputy Minister of Public Security, Commissioner Juan José Andrade

A forum was held last week at the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly on gender initiatives within the public safety sector that included legislators, public security representatives, Judge Doris Arias, and political scientist, Marcela Piedra.

Andrade highlighted the actions his ministry has undertaken to improve the working conditions of women in the police force. Among these are new police facilities with female dormitories, modifications to uniforms and vests, as well as stationing policewomen with small children at posts near their homes.

The Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security has a gender equality and equity policy, as well as strictly enforced regulations against sexual harassment to guarantee a humane and equal work environment for women, added Andrade.