Mainstreaming gender in the police: the Maharashtra experience

Abstract

This paper offers an insight into the creative ways in which a major social institution in one of the most progressive states in India has attempted to take gender issues on board. The Maharashtra Police Force has taken a major step towards empowering women by opening all mainstream duties to them as from 1994. The paper records the process through which the Force has taken this up as part of a larger agenda to tackle the issues of violence against women, and may serve as an example for similar organizations and students of gender issues.