ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of women's status and experiences in the Afghan National Police, followed by an examination of selected efforts to employ women police in the period of United States–NATO led intervention and prior to the Taliban takeover establishing the Islamic Emirate in August 2021. Specifically, we outline the importance of understanding the ethnic, religious, cultural and security dynamics at the meso-level (provincial/local) in recruiting, deploying and retaining women police, rather than nationwide strategies to adapt to localised dynamics. We use the example of Family Response Units as an intervention which achieved partial success in a complex environment. We conclude with some key principles drawn out of reflecting on efforts to include women into policing in Afghanistan.
