Every year in August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month to pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.
This year’s Women’s Month commemoration held under the theme “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development” marks the 68th anniversary of the historic march.
During Women’s Month the nation celebrates women as active agents of change and social transformation. The commemoration also allows citizens to take stock of achievements and the challenges that remain while mobilising support for the further development of women.
One of these women is Yolanda Faro, chief of the Tshwane metro police department. A former Nelson Mandela Bay police chief, Faro holds a National Police Diploma, Traffic National Diploma, a Bachelor of Technology degree in policing and has vast experience in safety and security experience.
Faro is a community servant at heart and went into policing in order to “serve and protect the community and the most vulnerable women, children and the elderly”.
She acknowledged that it was initially challenging because she was a woman in a male-dominated environment where women were often seen as out of place. “However, you need to show through actions that you are as capable as men to be a law enforcer.”
Asked whether she experiences resistance from men, who may be unwilling to take instruction from a woman, Faro said: “Due to the fact that this is a uniform environment, you must take instructions from your superior, whether the incumbent is a woman or man.
“However, if they see you are knowledgeable and experienced about law enforcement it automatically generates respect. I therefore have never experienced such resistance since being appointed to the role.”
According to the City of Tshwane top cop, as a woman “you bring more to the job”.
She said being accessible and from time to time visiting different communities and areas mean they don't treat her as a stranger or enemy, but as one of them.
Regarding Women's Month, she said emphasis should be on highlighting and heightening what women police officers do on a daily basis. “Crucially, we also acknowledge and salute the women of 1956 that's why it was so profound to me to march on Women's Day to the Union Buildings, retracing the steps of our stalwarts,” she added.
Her advice to fellow women in policing is: “Don't compete but compliment your male counterparts. When on the field it should not be about gender, but about fellow officers serving next to you in the fight against crime, traffic and by law contraventions.”
In her Women’s Month message, Faro said: “As a woman you can do anything you put your mind to; stop over-thinking and be too critical on yourself. Start with your goal, then work out what you need to achieve your goal, whether it is training or studying or getting practical experience.”