Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, took part in the opening event of the conference – “Women in the Police” and addressed the participants with a welcome speech.

In his welcome speech, Aleksandre Darakhvelidze emphasized the priority of gender equality and protection of women"s rights for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As the Deputy Minister pointed out, being a female police officer is a big challenge and their role in the police system is increasing. He also spoke about the role of women police officers in the process of gender-sensitive justice.

Darakhvelidze thanked Kelly Degnan, the US ambassador to Georgia, for her contribution to the institutional development of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The event aims to strengthen the capabilities of female law enforcement officers and increase their motivation.

During the five-day conference, the participants will discuss such important issues as: the specifics of the work of female law enforcement officers and their challenges, the role of female police officers in promoting gender equality, domestic and violence against women and the prevention of hate crimes, the importance of the involvement of female law enforcement officers in ensuring peace and security, female police officers as leader and others.

Within the framework of cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Programs of the US State Department, the annual five-day international conference “Women in Police” is traditionally held in Georgia for the 10th year.

This year, about 250 female law enforcement officers from 20 countries of the world took part in the conference.