Hamas women cops must wear robes and may not bear arms or arrest men
GAZA CITY — The Hamas regime's recruitment campaign to increase the female
presence in the police has been an uphill battle.
The Interior Ministry has employed 53 women in the 11,000-member police
force in the Gaza Strip. Officials acknowledged that a recruitment campaign
in early 2008 did not lead to a significant increase in women police
officers.
"Women have a limited role and the work is very hard," an official said.
The women officers have been largely restricted to administrative
duties. An exception is Lt. Mariam Al Bursh, a 27-year-old member of the
narcotics squad.
Women officers, who must wear robes and headdress, have been prevented
from carrying firearms. They cannot interrogate or arrest men without a male
officer.
Officials said training of women has been inadequate. They cited the
lack of female instructors.
