In Bangladesh, a longstanding directive instituted by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina required women in the senior civil service, including police officers, to be addressed as “Mister”. This unusual practice, which blurred gender identity in the name of neutrality, was recently overturned by the new transitional government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. The government announced that it would review and reform the entire public service protocol to reflect appropriate and respectful forms of address, reaffirming the use of “Madam” for women officials.

While some women reportedly accepted being called “Mister” as a way to navigate male-dominated spaces, others felt it erased their gender identity. The cancellation of this practice marks an important step toward recognizing and respecting the presence of women in leadership roles. For SecurityWomen, working to improve women’s representation in the security sector, this decision highlights how institutional language can either hinder or support gender inclusion. Creating space for women to be addressed as “Madam” – in name and in practice – is a necessary move toward ensuring their meaningful participation in policing.

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