Mission MAG 14.qxp - European Union Police Mission in Bosnia ...

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN , S DAY
the complexity of police work. It is very
demanding. But it helps if you have a
goal, and if you are really determined to
reach it. The best advice I can give is to
love your work and be passionate about
your goal. I joined the RS Ministry of
Interior in 1992, and my first post was in
the operational field as an Inspector for
the prevention of juvenile delinquency
and drug abuse.
Success is no coincidence
It is internationally recognized that women
are a minority within policing services
and often have administrative roles.
And yet, they undergo the same training
as their male colleagues. It seems like the
demanding schedules of operational work
sometimes seem irreconcilable with family
life.
Chief Inspector Dragica Djukic is an
exception. She joined the RS Ministry of
Interior in 1992 and has since then developed
a very successful career in operational
work. In 2004 she was appointed Deputy
Head of the Crime Police Administration
and since last year she leads the
Department for Revisions and Inspections.
And yet Dragica is married, with two
kids. We asked her a few questions to
mark International Women’s Day.
You are the only woman in the RS
Ministry of Interior with the rank of
Chief Inspector in the operational
field. How doest it feel
You catch me by surprise! I have never
thought about it as something special. I
always thought it has come naturally. But,
as a matter of fact, it required a lot of work
experience, results, enthusiasm and courage.
My successful career is the result of
efforts and work I have invested since the
very start. However, I have to admit that
your observation that I am the only woman
with this rank in the operational field
feels very good. For sure it was not easy to
achieve it. And I regret that there are so
few high-ranking women in the police.
Does it mean that it is more difficult
for women to develop a successful
carreer within the police than in other
domains
I think that is more difficult indeed.
However, I think that the main reason is
Do you think there are prejudices
about successful women in the
police
In general, people do not forgive somebody's
success, particularly if you are
woman. This is very typical of traditional
societies such as you find them in the
Balkans. I am not a feminist. I just advocate
gender equality. Women should fight
for their rights, but only until the point
where they do not lose their femininity. We
should not neglect the fact that nature
endowed us with the privilege that we can
be mothers and we should consider it as
'given' success which makes us superior".
Have you ever had to deal with prejudice
yourself
Of course I wasn't spared, but I have to
admit I was lucky to work with colleagues
who were good people in the first place
and also good professionals. I had their
unconditional support. They marked my
professional development. I have actually
never paid much attention to those who
are prejudiced.
What kind of advice would you give
to young women who want to embrace
a career in the police
This job is very demanding, and women
are often not aware of it when they join
the policet. That is why they go for
administrative jobs upon completing their
training at the police academy. However,
they should not give up.
An inevitable question to end with:
what do you consider your greatest
success
I would not single out any specific case
from my career. I consider my biggest
success the fact that I did not give up on
my dreams in spite many obstacles and
challenges.
By Sladjana Lizdek
6
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European Union Police Mission