By Nangamso Mabindla
9 December 2004

THE EASTERN Cape arm of the South African Police Services showed its support for the national 16 Days of Activism, on until 10 December, by launching the East London Women's Informal Network.

The formal function was held at the East London City Hall on December 8.

The Network aims to empower and encourage women in the police services by assisting them to set goals for themselves.

It will also advise women to undergo training on issues like victim empowerment, customer services and HIV/Aids.

To mark the national campaign against woman and child abuse, the SAPS had been involved in different campaigns to educate the Buffalo City community, according to Communication Liaison Officer, Michelle Matroos.

"We taught communities to work with the police to ensure that criminals are prevented from taking the pride of these individuals from them," said Matroos.

She said the Network would play a big role in ensuring women supported each other in a male-dominated field. However, the Network would also ensure higher-ranking police women took the lead, setting an example and educating female members of the SAPS.

Deputy Area Commissioner, Lungile Gqamqele, pledged his support, saying the Network was long overdue. "I really feel that women need to be recognised and allowed to reach for their goals in the services. They should be able to go up the ranks when they deserve to," he said.

According to Gqamqele, the province is moving in the right direction. In 2001 it had no female Deputy Area Commissioners and now boasts two.

"I hope this Network will work for the benefit of women - we don't want these ideas to remain on paper," he said.