
Strategies to adapt in Breaking Barriers for Women in Law Enforcement in South Africa
Issue: Vol.3 No.13 December 2022 Article 4 pp.693-700
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20223134 | Published online 15th December 2022.
© 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in the Metro Police Departments (MDPs) continues to be a matter of some concern, particularly in a traditionally male-dominated industry such as law enforcement. Research on gender and leadership has revealed that women continue to face challenges in advancing into leadership positions. Democracy, changes in law, and societal beliefs opened policing as a career to women and various legal frameworks provide for gender equality, therefore equal gender representation in the workplace is a developmental goal in South Africa. The objective of this study is to provide strategies for breaking barriers for women in leadership positions in law enforcement using qualitative analysis. 25 South African women from the Gauteng Province from Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, and Johannesburg MPDs were interviewed. The participants recommended that the South African MPDs review human resource practices and policies to promote a positive and constructive work environment for all employees.
Keywords: leadership, women in leadership, gender, gender equality, Metropolitan police department, law enforcement
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Dr. Dee Khosa is a lecturer in the Department of Safety and Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). She holds a DLitt et Phil in Police Science from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Her area of specialisation is Management and Leadership in the field of Law Enforcement fraternity. Apart from teaching undergraduate students in management and leadership: policing & public sector management, she supervises master of policing and doctor of policing students. Dr Khosa received a merit Faculty of Humanities best Lecturer Award for teaching with excellence in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 & 2018. Her research output includes the publication of articles in accredited journals and delivered papers nationally and internationally. In addition, she is a member of the Traffic Law Enforcement Review Committee, appointed by the Minister of Transport. Dr. Khosa is currently serving as a Board member at Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA).
Khosa D. “Strategies to adapt in Breaking Barriers for Women in Law Enforcement in South Africa,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 3, no.13 (2022):693-700. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20223134
© 2022 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Publishers. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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