Gendering Community Policing and Role of Information Communication Technology: A Case Study of Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan

Abstract

Gender based violence (GBV) is a heinous crime that Pakistani society is facing. To deal with this menace, both the government and non-governmental organizations have taken steps at various levels to improve police service delivery, competence-building and awareness-raising on GBV, establish women's shelters, establish women's development and welfare units in district welfare departments, and open helplines. However, these initiatives are limited, scattered and lack coordination. Our research aims to better understand the nature of GBV issues, identify the barriers in addressing GBV, and how the introduction of information communication technology (ICT) might improve both competence on GBV and the coordination of the mechanisms dealing with GBV. Using a qualitative approach, we conducted in-depth interviews of relevant actors involved in the process of dealing with GBV. Our research findings show that GBV is a deeply rooted and complex structural phenomenon that requires a well-planned, well-coordinated and politically driven strategy. While information communication technology (ICT) has the potential to improve competence of stakeholder and processes of reporting, mitigating and preventing GBV, access to technology by rural women is limited. It is therefore important that technological innovations take account of contextual constraints and opportunities.

Digital Community-Policing Application at Muloza Border of Malawi and Mozambique in Mulanje

“…In digital era, social media has become a space for socialization and interaction of citizens, between themselves and police (Pulido et al, 2021). Scholars in developed countries in America, Europe and Asia report citizens and police can implement community policing through social media and influence creation of a sense of security (Fahmi et al, 2022; Khalid & Nyborg, 2022;Purdy, 2013). Therefore, social media platforms is playing a role to improving a state of decline.…”