On the side of the law in Gaza, women gain a place

[Phx_Dem]

GAZA CITY: The policemen of Hamas now have company: Since the Islamic group took over here last June it has been recruiting policewomen as well.

Since mid-August, 60 women have been accepted into the force. Unlike policemen, the women have not played any role resisting the latest Israeli incursions, instead working mostly on gender-sensitive cases of drugs and prostitution and helping out at police headquarters and the central jail.

Restoring internal security to the lawless Gaza Strip was one of the main challenges for Hamas after taking over the area following a violent struggle with Fatah. The policewomen are one way Hamas has tried to fill the security gap.

Faced with diplomatic and internal isolation, Hamas has also struggled to recreate a criminal justice system, in part because the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, is paying salaries to the old judges, prosecutors and police, mostly from Fatah, and telling them to stay at home. Hamas has named only four judges so far, not enough to resume the work of civil courts.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/17/africa/gaza.php?page=1