This is one of the many challenges North West police official, Adéle Myburgh, deals with on a weekly basis. Myburgh says as a woman, one tends to think with your heart, but sometimes you need to be professional and not get emotionally attached. Myburgh further reminds all women of their worth and urges women that when they fail they should get up and try again.

“You tend to think with your heart, when you’re on a scene and someone died. You would think, but this is someone’s father, son and you really have to focus on the task at hand and not get emotionally involved when it comes to traumatic events,” Myburgh says.

Northern Cape policewoman, Mashay Gamieldien, says as we welcome and embrace Woman’s Month, she wishes all the women in the South African Police Services, as well as the country, a happy Women’s Month despite the challenges we are still facing. Gamieldien further urges everyone to embrace generational equality, realising women’s right to an equal future.

“This Women’s Month we celebrate our women in blue. No career in the South African Police Services is impossible for us as female law enforcement officers. We are just as dedicated, brave, and committed as our male colleagues to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans.

OFM News, along with the rest of South Africa, will celebrate Women’s Month in August - which is devoted to the strong, fearless, and independent woman in our country. Women’s Month is a tribute to the thousands of women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, protesting against the extension of Pass Laws. This historic march was a turning point in the role of women during the struggle for freedom.

OFM News/Blaine Jones