Supporting Women Who Serve: Regional Dialogue on Women in Law Enforcement
March 31, 2026
What helps law enforcement officers do their job well, especially under pressure? For many across the region, the answer lies in experience, support, and the ability to learn from one another.
On 26-27 March 2026, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine supported a regional conference in Chisinau, Moldova, focused on women in law enforcement. Organised by the Ministries of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the event brought together practitioners and policymakers from across the 15th Region of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP).
At its core, the conference focused on practical exchange. Participants from different countries came together, each with their own reform paths, legal systems and security realities. They shared what works, what does not, and where change is needed.
EUAM facilitated the participation of representatives from the National Police of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, ensuring that practical experience from Ukraine was part of the discussion at the conference.
Ukrainian participants spoke about working in wartime conditions. They described maintaining performance under constant pressure, organising psychological support within their services, and responding to cases of gender-based violence. These contributions kept the discussion grounded in operational realities.
The evolving role of women in Ukraine’s security sector was also highlighted. According to the National Police of Ukraine, 2,248 women currently hold combatant status, accounting for 7.3% of all combatant police personnel. This reflects both their frontline contribution and the need for effective support systems and leadership opportunities within institutions.
The discussion also underlined the importance of teamwork. As noted by Jane Townsley, former IAWP president, UK, “Behavioural and cultural change within organisations must be driven by men as well. Men need to act as champions of gender mainstreaming.”
Echoing this, Veronika Boldurat from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova stressed shared responsibility: “We are not taking jobs away from men. We are working to build stronger and more effective teams.”
EUAM experts contributed to discussions on investigations and institutional practices. Among them were Svetla Petrova, Adviser/Trainer on Criminal Investigations; Gediminas Buciunas, Senior Adviser on Prosecution; and Yulia Petrova, Human Rights and Gender Officer. The focus was on accountability and alignment with human rights standards.
“For EUAM Ukraine, our role is to connect experience from the ground with European standards. Promoting gender equality in law enforcement is an essential part of this work. It contributes to stronger institutions and supports Ukraine’s path towards EU integration,” stressed Yuliia Petrova.
Ukraine currently holds the presidency of the IAWP 15th Region (Central and Eastern Europe) for 2023–2027, contributing to cooperation across 22 countries. Due to security considerations, this year’s conference was hosted in Moldova, in cooperation with national authorities and international partners, including EUAM Ukraine, the EU Partnership Mission in Moldova, UN Women, and the OSCE.
