Background of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation [SARPCCO] Women Network

Zimbabwe is a member of the SARPCCO. At the 12^th SARPCCO Annual General Meeting that was held in Lusaka, Zambia from        28 July to 3 August 2007, member states agreed to further strengthen their regional vision by enhancing the issues of women empowerment in Police Forces/Services in the region, giving birth to the SARPCCO Women’s Network. This was also in line with the demands of the United nations Security Council Resolution 1325(2000) and Southern African Development Community protocols on gender and women empowerment. The resolution further made it obligatory for member countries to establish their respective police service/force Women Network. This gave birth to the ZRP Women Network in 2009. Other SARPCCO member states include:

1. Angola
2. Botswana
3. Democratic Republic of Congo
4. Lesotho
5. Mauritius
6. Mozambique
7. Namibia
8. Seychelles
9. South Africa
10. Swaziland
11. Tanzania
12. Zambia, and
13. Zimbabwe

All the above mentioned countries have since launched their chapters.

ZRP Women Network

ZRP Women Network is an entity within the Zimbabwe Republic Police which seeks to empower and uplift female police officers, thereby enhancing quality service to the nation. It was established as a result of 07/RES/13 of the 12^th SARPCCO Annual General Meeting that was held in Lusaka, Zambia. ZRP Women Network was officially launched by the then Commissioner General of Police Cde A Chihuri on 2 April 2009. Consequently, provincial, district and station Women Network Chapters were also launched during the same year.