ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ

Since May 2021, The ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ has supported Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Security to develop policies and practices to address key factors that undermine gender equality in the Costa Rican police forces.

Our Work and Methods

We promote an environment that creates opportunities for women and gender minorities to pursue careers in policing and advance into leadership positions. With improved hiring and promotion practices, Costa Rica’s police forces will be more representative of the people they serve.

Our Impacts

• Developed a mandatory training course on gender-sensitive policing for new and current police officers, now taught at Costa Rica’s National Police Academy.
• Trained 21 senior police officers and government staff to teach a course on human rights and gender in policing, which was delivered to an inaugural cohort of 120 cadets at the National Police Academy.
• Supported the Ministry of Public Security to strengthen recruitment, retention, and promotion procedures and develop gender-responsive sexual harassment policies.

Concerned about an arms race in Latin America, the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ’s Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas urged governments in the region to pause before embarking on major arms purchases. Between April 1997 and March 1998, 28 current and 14 former heads of government — including Costa Rica’s — signed a pledge to accept a moratorium of two years on purchasing sophisticated weapons. 

In 1998, The ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ launched efforts to reduce corruption and promote transparency in Costa Rica, alongside programs in Jamaica and Ecuador. 

Our Work and Methods

In 2000, we convened a first-ever seminar for government officials, the private sector, and civil society organizations to agree on public monitoring of government activities and processes. 

Our Impacts 

• Established a national forum for shaping a reform agenda
• Created the role of transparency advisor
• Recommended creating a special prosecutor’s office to investigate and prosecute ethics cases