Gender-sensitive policy is a relatively new principle worldwide, especially in Southeast Europe, opposing old cliches, habits and prejudice. Education, training, debate and activism lead to change in the stereotype of concern to us women, said Minister of Interior Gordana Jankuloska at Monday's presentation of gender-sensitive police practice guidelines, with focus on attraction, selection and professional development of women in police.

"We can achieve this through continual highlighting of gender equality, capability in facing all commitments and tasks, perseverance and setting an example on the job", said Jankuloska.

According to her, quarter of MoI employees are women, with significant disproportion among sectors.

"Women dominate in the sector of administrative affairs, whereas their involvement in uniformed and criminal police ranges between 2 and 15 percent, which is way below the 30-percent minimum representation prescribed in the best practices", added Jankuloska.

UN/UNDP Resident Representative Deirdre Boyd said the Women Police Officers Network in Southeast Europe (WPON) project has achieved enormous success in the field, but a lot remains to be done in the employment, training and career development of women in police.