Quarterly Progress Report: January-March--2008 - Police Reform ...

Section V: Lessons learnt and lookingtoward the future in the end of 2008(This section should record (1) lessons learnt from the first quarter and (2) futurestrategic directions or recommendations.)(1) Lessons learnt from the first quarterIn the course of implementation of project activities, a good number of lessons werelearnt including the following: As trainings and workshops are not magic wands and they need to bepreceded and followed by actions for gender equality, the police needs tocreate a strong and shared commitment to gender equality and women’sadvancement. Developing comprehensive juvenile justice in Bangladesh, the Children Act.1974 has to be reviewed and modernized. Political commitment and nationalconsensus is a must for revamping juvenile justice issue. There is a particular need to establish an investigation unit with the primacy toinvestigate human trafficking offences throughout the country in an efficientmanner. Establishment of a victim support center within the Unit of Bangladesh Policewith a provision to support victims including short term accommodation cangreatly enhance the service provides by the Bangladesh Police. Strategic partnership with the key victim support organizations (governmentand NGOs) in the country can assist in victim support and investigating humantrafficking. These partnerships can enhance the service delivery ofBangladesh police. The agreement between a various South East Asian countries to allow theirrespective heads of THB Units to meet on a regular basis was seen as a verypositive initiative. This type of meeting can facilitate the flow of intelligence,encourage transnational investigations and ensure all avenues ofinvestigations are available to police. Reduced or no political interference can bring positive changes in theperformance and professionalism of Police activities.Quarterly Progress Report (January-March) 2008 Page 27 of 27