‘Knowledge is power’: Fed equality lead previews PFEW International Women’s Day event

6 March 2025

Branch equality lead Emma Arthurs says she is excited to appear at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) webinar for International Women’s Day (IWD) on Friday (7 March).

A Federation workplace representative of eight years, Emma is set to deliver a talk focused on personal resilience as one of the online event’s key speakers.

This comes off the back of her nomination for the PFEW’s Outstanding Contribution to Women in Policing award last year.

The 47-year-old will draw upon her experiences of being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, which saw her continue most of her duties as a police officer while being treated for the illness.

Suffolk Police Federation equality lead Emma Arthurs.

Although she became tumour-free later that year, her experience inspired her to support countless colleagues in both Force and Federation capacities.

“I am really looking forward to speaking at the webinar, to be honest – it should be a great commemoration of all the amazing work in policing being done by women,” Emma said.

“As modern policewomen, we are getting older and working longer and that can leave us more susceptible to serious illness.

Empowering women

“What I want to get across in the seminar is that if this should, unfortunately, happen to you, you can stay in the force while living with your illness, which is what I have empowered other women to do through my work.

“The way I’ve done this is by helping to change the workplace processes and support networks around cancer in particular, always driven by my own story and knowing how much I would have benefitted from someone like me when I was unwell – and even though I didn’t, I want to do everything I can for others in the same position.”

Following her diagnosis, Emma successfully helped to facilitate a point-of-contact – alongside colleague PC Hayley O’Donnell – for officers and staff living with cancer at both Suffolk and Norfolk constabularies.

This role involves the running of a peer cancer support group, granting individuals a safe space to discuss both practicalities such as flexible working arrangements and emotional and mental health.

Feels on Wheels

Her commitment to wellbeing has also seen her take the Force's welfare van out to the counties’ frontline cops on sessions branded as ‘Feels on Wheels’, which have included education on looking for signs of tumours.

She continued: “I have also created wellbeing kits to promote better conversations around colleagues who have a serious illness, so no one is in a position where they don’t know what to say anymore.

“Knowledge is power, and when people know more about the reality of the situation, they can do more to truly help someone who needs it. Ultimately, that’s what I want to give the audience at the seminar.

“Although it was an incredibly tough time, being unwell opened doors for me and changed my life. If I can open doors for other people and other women, then that’s amazing.”

Federation members can register to attend the event, which will run from 10am to 11.30am, by visiting its event page.

International Women's Day

Emma rounded off by looking ahead to IWD - which itself will be celebrated around the world on Saturday (8 March) - as she underlined the importance of paying tribute to women in policing.

“When I joined the force 22 years ago, there were still ranks where female officers made up the minority,” she said.

“But it has evolved to something much closer to where it should be, with women having a healthy representation across all ranks, and that creates a great image from the outside looking in.

“So, I think whatever your story or background is, it’s vital we provide examples to the next generation of officers – or even colleagues who may feel doubtful – that you can achieve anything in policing and there is work being done out there to ensure your gender is never a block.”