The PSNI has defended an International Women’s Day event at which they asked female officers to nominate “male colleagues who have supported them during their career”.
A tweet about the plan sparked a significant reaction, with more than 1,000 people responding. The responses were largely negative and questioned the PSNI’s logic in asking for men to be nominated for an IWD event.
One stated: “You want to centre men on IWD? The one day of the year for centring women?”
Another said: “Kind of missed the point of WOMEN’s day there.”
However, in a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, a senior officer defended the move.
Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, Chair of the PSNI’s Women in Policing Association, said: “As part of our plans for this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) event, our Association took the IWD universal theme of Each For Equal and invited our members to nominate male colleagues who have supported them in achieving gender parity.
“In previous years, we have used IWD to promote the positive contribution that females within our organisation have played in inspiring others.
“Recognising that gender equality is not a female-only issue, that it is everyone’s responsibility, in line with this year’s theme we took the decision to recognise male colleagues who have an important part to play.
“It is vitally important that our male colleagues play their part in empowering, supporting and being positive advocates for their female colleagues. Today’s event was seen as providing an opportunity for the Women in Policing Association to recognise those who do that already.”
