The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with UN Women, has officially launched the ‘Five of the Five’ workshop — a groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening women’s leadership in law enforcement across Eastern Africa.
Held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, the week-long training brings together 25 women officers from five countries—Seychelles, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania—offering them an intensive program focused on leadership development, operational management, and strategic decision-making in the criminal justice sector.
Representing the Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS), Mr. Douglas Kanja, Assistant Inspector General Mr. Titi Ayiera officiated the opening ceremony and lauded the initiative as a “timely step in the right direction.”
“This program directly addresses gender disparities in law enforcement and lays the groundwork for a new generation of women leaders. It’s not only about empowering the present but also inspiring the future,” Mr. Ayiera remarked.
He reaffirmed the NPS’s commitment to gender-responsive policing, particularly in tackling complex crimes such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), terrorism, and violent extremism.
Ms. Maria Temesvari, Deputy Regional Representative of UNODC, emphasized that ‘Five of the Five’ is more than a workshop — it is a catalyst for systemic change.
“This project symbolizes our shared commitment to creating spaces for women’s leadership, enhancing collaboration across borders, and fostering a resilient, inclusive justice system,” said Temesvari.
She encouraged participants to not only absorb the training but also to cultivate regional networks that will sustain their growth and amplify their impact beyond the workshop.
The event brought together key figures from across the security and justice sectors, including Mr. Africa Apollo, CEO of the EAPCCO Secretariat and Head of INTERPOL Regional Bureau; Ms. Tina Mykannen, Programme Management Specialist (Gender and Security Sector) at UN Women; UNODC Consultant Mr. Giulio Zanetti; Dr. Gideon Kirui, Deputy Director of Training at the NPS; and Ms. Silvia Manyara, Representative of the UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa.
The ‘Five of the Five’ initiative marks a significant stride toward inclusive leadership and collaborative security efforts, affirming the vital role women play in the stability and safety of the region.
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