A legacy of change

In policing, leadership matters. Representation matters. And gender inclusion, more than just an aspirational goal, is an essential pillar of effective governance, justice, and community trust. Since its inception in 2022, the British Overseas Territories Women in Policing (BOTWiP) programme has not only challenged status quo but actively redefined what leadership and progression look like for women across policing institutions in ten territories.

The significant of this initiative is profound. Across the globe, policing has historically been male-dominated, with systemic barriers limiting women’s advancement in leadership roles. But the BOTWiP programme- supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – has shifted the narrative.

Through targeted leadership development, gender responsive policy reform, and a network of international partnerships, it has strengthened pathways for women in policing and institutionalised structures which foster gender equality.

Transforming representation and leadership

The numbers tell a compelling story of progress. In just three years, women’s representation in senior police leadership across the British Overseas Territories has risen from a mere 3% to an encouraging 17%. The percentage of females officers overall has also increased, with women now making up 32% of policing ranks across the territories, bringing it more in line with the 36% in the UK. These improvements extend beyond statistics – they represent real opportunities, tangible change, and the dismantling of barriers that historically kept women from advancing into top leadership positions.

A cornerstone of this success has been the establishment of Women in Policing Networks across multiple territories and the direct links into the IAWP, ensuring females officers have structured avenues for mentorship, advocacy, and leadership support. Meanwhile, the expansion of HeForShe Networks across seven territories demonstrates that true progress in gender equity is not only about empowering women but engaging men as allies in the movement.

A multi -layered approach to gender reform

Beyond increasing representation, BOTWiP has actively tackled systemic challenges that affect women in policing. The programme has prioritised gender-sensitive policing, ensuring officers received training on handling gender-based violence cases with survivor-centred approaches. Institutional reforms have also helped embed unconscious bias training, inclusive leadership strategies, and gender-responsive policies into governance frameworks.

With over twenty global partnerships leveraged for knowledge exchange, twinning, and mentoring programmes, BOTWiP has created international networks that will sustain progress beyond the formal lifespan of the initiative. These collaborations have enriched leadership development efforts, enabling officers from different territories to learn from one another and implement best practices in their local contexts.

Sustaining the Momentum Beyond 2025

The programme’s formal phase may have concluded but its legacy remains. The foundations laid by BOTWiP must be upheld through continued investment and engagement, particularly by women’s networks and advocacy groups. Funding support, mentorship initiatives, and strengthened collaboration will be crucial in maintaining momentum and ensuring long-term sustainability of progress achieved.

As project lead, Maria Stanley has highlighted, the key to lasting changes lies in the institutional structures built during this programme. “We have created systems that don’t just serve today’s generation of women in policing - but those who come after them. The challenge now is to keep strengthening these pathways, to ensure they remain accessible and impactful for years to come. The best way to achieve this is to have more and more women take these pathways, to create role models for others to follow. Each person climbing the ladder, is urged to help the next. We must never draw it up behind us but help those who will add more steps taking us all further on this path.”

Looking ahead, stakeholders across the British Overseas Territories have an opportunity to build upon this foundation, ensuring that gender equity remains a core principle of police governance. The BOTWiP programme may be drawing to a close, but its mission – to empower women, enhance leadership, and create policing institutions that truly reflect the communities they serve – is far from over.

Maria Stanley, Programme Lead

Like every successful programme, BOTWiP relies heavily on the passion and determination of those committed to bringing the mission to life. Maria Stanley is the person behind BOTWiP. WomenPolice caught up with Maria to see what the future holds:

“I have loved every minute of working with the British Overseas Territories. The women I meet, and importantly the men that support them, are the reason why I do this job. Those women have so much to offer and a modern police service needs them. It needs the empathy, experience and perspective of these women to ensure that victims of crime are heard, supported and protected.

“I approach this with energy because I truly believe in the work we are carrying out. I’ve spent time working with the women who will benefit most from this programme and see that the very small part we play can be life changing for them. Some of these women are working on different islands to their homeland and have no family support for things like childcare. They are impacted by the constant pressure to be at the school gates on time to ensure their children are collected, and the hostility from families and friends who don’t believe in their plight to bring justice but they do it anyway because they also believe in the value they bring.

The end of the programme is by no means the end of the journey of these women. We just providing the first stepping stone, they did the rest and continue to do so. I cannot wait to see what they go on to achieve!”

Article written by Carrie Goodwin for the International Association of Women Police publication.