Even though it is a new phenomenon in Kosovo's society, there is a number of females serving in Kosovo Police Service. One of them is Fetije Krasniqi.

She looks sharp in her new blue uniform with her long blonde hair tight in braids. She creates an impression as a self-reliant and positive person. Fetije is only 23 years old but in spite of that she is aware of the importance of her task. She is a member of the ninth class graduated from KPS School in Vucitrn.

She is working in Kosovo's parliament building, providing security for deputies, administrative staff, journalist and guests. " When the Parliament holds its sessions the security measures are our top priority. We are 11 policewomen working on equal terms with men and I think there cannot be a difference marked between the two sexes," she said.

Additionally, she and her colleagues provide security for the house of Nexhat Daci- Kosovo's Parliament Chairman. " For me, it is a privilege to have contacts with high-ranking people and to contribute to the improvement of the security situation in Kosovo," she said.

She said that to wear a police uniform is a life-long dream. " I have always wanted to be useful for people, to help and protect them and I am very proud to have such a duty," she said.

She studies law at Pristina's University and according to her, graduation will help her do even better on her job.

"During the training period at KPS School in Vucitrn, we've learned in theory the job of the police officer, but in practice, we've faced a totally different situation and in the beginning I was a little unsure of myself," Fetije said.

She worked as traffic police officer her first year and she said that the experience she gained from that time helps her present duties.

Being a traffic policewoman was hard: " The men here in Kosovo are not willing to let a woman arrest them and I really had hard cases, facing criminals, contrabandists and disturbers of the peace," she said. "Despite the difficulties I like my job. I was the only traffic policewoman among 32 male colleagues."

She stressed that the most important thing for a female police officer is to be flexible, to adapt quickly to various circumstances, which in the most part are unpleasant. " I have arrested many people and their reaction was sometimes rude and offensive but fortunately I have been assisted by my colleagues."

When she was asked, if she thinks that in some cases a policewoman is more efficient than male police officers, she said: " There are some specific cases as domestic violence for example when my male colleagues are just looking to finish their duty; female officers are more attentive, and taking it to heart putting themselves in the place of the female victim. I think we can resolve such problems more successful and efficient."

The female police officer must be, according to Fetije, honest, firm when it is necessary and has to possess great professional abilities in order to face the difficulties in her routine work.

"The men in our profession sometimes underrate our capability and my message for them is just to be more tolerant and to give us a chance to prove ourselves," she said.

"On the other hand," she added, "I have noticed when I am walking on the streets in uniform, I have a sense that everybody is looking at me and I feel strange. People know me pretty well by now but when I am out in my civilian clothes, I am just an ordinary woman. The only difference is when I am on duty. Perhaps that might be the reason that I am still single," she said laughing.

"For all the above, I am very happy when the time comes for me to put my uniform on and go to work."