LocationsBuilding trust and tackling gender-based violence in a digital age
Policing for people
September 5, 2025
In South Sudan and around the world, UNDP works with partners to advance people-centred policing that strengthens trust between communities and law enforcement.
Photo: UNDP South Sudan
Effective policing is a cornerstone of public safety and social cohesion. When people trust the police service, communities feel protected, rights are upheld, and development can take root. But in many fragile and transitional contexts, that trust is fractured – undermined by violence, exclusion and outdated policing models.
UNDP’s work in policing is based on a principle that security must be people centred. Whether it’s rebuilding trust in post-conflict areas or tackling the rising tide of online abuse, UNDP is helping law enforcement evolve to meet today’s challenges with rights-based approach, accountability, innovation and empathy. In Fiji, The Gambia, Iraq, Lebanon, South Sudan and beyond, UNDP promotes community policing restoring trust between communities and law enforcement.
In Fiji, the police underwent a cultural transformation, shifting from a “warrior” to a “guardian” approach, integrating traditional leaders, women and youth into local safety strategies. To support the transition, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration increased the budget of the police force by 18 percent. To adapt the reform to Fiji’s unique context, a community policing model was designed for Indigenous coastal communities, blending formal governance structures with traditional customary practices.
For police in Fiji, putting people and communities at the centre of public safety meant switching from a "warrior" to a "guardian" approach.
Photo: UNDP Fiji
In Mali, local security initiatives helped reduce crime and rebuild trust between citizens and security forces.
“Before, in our town – especially around the stadium – there were attacks almost every day. But now people in our area – men, women and youth – have really stepped up. Everyone’s more alert and ready to report anything suspicious," said a resident of Koutiala town in southern Mali.
In South Sudan, police became better equipped to support women survivors of violence. In 2024, over 2,600 women reported gender-based violence at the Police Special Protection Units and received legal, prosecutorial and psychosocial support. In addition, UNDP advanced community security in South Sudan by operationalizing 259 Police and Community Relationship Committees, including 38 led by women, contributing to crime reduction and improved safety.
In South Sudan, police are now better equipped to support crime victims, including survivors of gender-based violence.
Photo: UNDP South Sudan
Where the security risks are acute, UNDP enables police to deliver. In Haiti, for example, under the framework of the UN Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law, UNDP provided 4,000 units of protective equipment and rehabilitated a police station. As a step for retention and gender inclusion, 786 cadets, including 119 women, received first assignment allowances.
In Ukraine, enhanced forensic capabilities allow law enforcement to more effectively prosecute human rights violations. Photo: UNDP Ukraine/Stas Kartashov
Amidst the war in Ukraine, forensic capabilities of law enforcement were enhanced with rapid DNA technology ensuring more effective prosecution of human rights violations.
In today’s interconnected world, the line between physical and digital security is increasingly blurred. Cybercrime surges, costing the global economy over US $10 trillion annually. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including online harassment, cyberstalking and digital abuse, is a fast-growing threat. UNDP’s global partnership with the Korean National Police Agency has catalysed survivor-centred, tech-savvy responses by sharing expertise in victim/survivor protection, prevention strategies, cyber investigation techniques and fostering a whole-of-society approach through engagement with stakeholders across law enforcement, government, civil society and the private sector.
In Côte d’Ivoire, a dedicated agency was established to drive coordinated national responses to cybercrime. Similarly, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a specialized unit was operationalized within the police force to combat terrorism and cybercrime, thereby strengthening institutional capacities to address emerging threats, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The emergence of these bodies reflects strong national commitment to combat growing security threats, particularly those affecting women, girls and other vulnerable groups. Additionally, a nationwide online safety campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina generated over five million views across social media platforms.
The Korean National Police Agency expertise, adapted to local realities, served as a model for survivor-centred approaches and inter-agency coordination. In Indonesia, following learning exchanges, the National Police Agency integrated six training modules into its official police curriculum, while the Ministry of Interior in North Macedonia launched an e-learning course on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, building on an earlier in-person training for police officers. These efforts underpin institutional commitment and ensure sustainable capacity-building for investigators. Also in North Macedonia, a new Criminal Code and a National Strategy to Combat Gender-Based Violence are underway, reinforcing legal protections, institutional coordination and survivor-centred responses.
After exchanges with Korean counterparts, Indonesia's National Police Agency has integrated new training modules on survivor-centred approaches into its official police curriculum.
Photo: UNDP Indonesia
UNDP’s policing initiatives focus on building systems that protect people, uphold rights and foster peace. From community trust-building to digital resilience, these efforts reflect a growing global commitment to people-centred security as a foundation for development. UNDP works with national actors and many partners, helping reimagine policing as a service for dignity, justice and progress.
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