Bangladesh: ICITAP Counter Wildlife Trafficking Program Inspires Women Law Enforcement Across Bangladesh

On September 14, the ICITAP-Bangladesh mission reported on ICITAPs Counter-Wildlife Trafficking (CWT) program, which was honored to be joined on their recent wildlife prosecutions training event held in Sreemangal, Sylhet, Bangladesh by women law enforcement officers from across the Bangladesh Forest Department and Bangladesh Police. The Wildlife Crime Control Unit, Junior Wildlife Scout stated, “This workshop is helping me personally because seeing women speak in public to a large audience with so much confidence is inspiring and something I would like to achieve myself.” The Wildlife Inspector of the Wildlife Crime Control Unit, Bangladesh Forest Department when referring to the presence and participation of the visiting U.S. federal judge and the Assistant District Attorney at the ICITAP CWT event stated, “When I see (them), such successful women, I look at them in surprise and I am inspired to do something.” In yet another highlight, the Additional Superintendent of Police – also a participant at the event – reported to have also received previous support and assistance from the U.S. Government, becoming the first policewoman in Bangladesh to receive SWAT training in the United States. ICITAP’s CWT Program is managed with the support of and in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).