PW_1_2026

Keeping you informed

4th Conference of the Network of Women in the Police of the Republic of Serbia Strength and Influence of Women in the Security Sector By Karen Duckworth , President Section UK - SHEisIPA Project Lead – Professional Commission On Thursday 27th November, I had the pleasure and honour of representing both International Police Association - Section UK and the Professional Commission SHEisIPA project at the 4th Conference of the Network of Women in the Police of the Republic of Serbia. T his was a joint event with the European Network of Policewomen (ENP), supported and sponsored by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with reps from DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance present. The conference theme: ‘Strength and Influence of Women in the Security Sector’ Many of those delegates present were IPA members (inc. President Section Serbia and President Section Montenegro). Twenty-five European countries were represented along with associated agencies supporting security projects the region. Each country’s lead delegate provided a short presentation around the conference theme based on the National experience. This made for a very unique insight into the lived experiences of women in policing from around Europe.

Held in the Palace of Serbia - Belgrade Hall, the event was opened by Serbian Prine Minister Prof Dr. Duro Macut and many of the Serbian cabinet were present. Their attendance underlined a commitment to the issues being discussed and will provide Katerina Tomasevic – President of the Network of Women in the Police of the Republic of Serbia and the European Network of Women in the Police a chance to hold them to account long after the event closed.

I was invited to represent the International Police Association (IPA) and notably the SHEisIPA project. This event offered a chance for me to lean into, and spotlight in my presentation the work being undertaken by the International Executive Board’s (IEB’s) International Relations Commission in relation to the UN Social Economic Council’s Commission on the Status

Karen with President Section Montenegro Biljana Dulovic and the Moldovan and Dutch delegtes

POLICE WORLD Vol 71 No.1, 2026

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