Today, I would like to touch on a topic that often causes angst, and indeed sparks controversy. Quite often, I hear the phrase ‘’Women in Executive Protection are in high demand’’, or ‘’We need more women in EP’’. But do we? Really? From my experience both in training and also placing female agents with clients and other companies (And I would love to hear your stories as well) we already have plenty of amazing female EP agents. There is no shortage of well-trained, experienced female EP agents. Yet, they often find themselves pigeonholed into entry-level roles or called upon only when a client requires protection for a significant other (woman) or child. Beyond these limited circumstances, the purported ‘demand’ for female agents tends to retreat into the background.

I remember the times when my involvement in EP was so restricted that I had to diversify into other security roles to maintain relevance in the industry, not to mention meet financial needs. As any professional in the field can attest, explaining to an HR representative why you’ve filled five different roles within a short period is an uphill battle. To them, all too common, it appears as though there is a track record of a lack of job retention or interest.

Granted, the industry has evolved somewhat in recent years. We’ve seen a shift in clientele, with an increasing number of female entrepreneurs, CEOs, C-Suite executives, and celebrities requiring our services. This shift has resulted in a marginal increase in opportunities for female EP agents over the last 10-15 years. But let’s face it: the progress is still insufficient. In an era where we widely acknowledge that gender does not determine the quality of an EP agent, it’s disheartening to see so few females active, merely a token representation.

However, even today, we still see teams composed of 5 male agents and 1 female for the same female client. We hear the all too familiar stories of female EP agents rarely considered for EP job applications unless explicitly specified for the role. Those uttering “We need more female EP agents” are often the ones who hire women predominantly for entry-level positions or specific gender-based assignments. Despite the prevalence of extraordinary female agents in the field, their professional progression is often stymied.

Being in the industry for quite some time, I have been blessed to know and work with some amazing female agents, who still today, aren’t allowed to progress within the industry. Many women have felt compelled to downplay their skills and qualifications, and water down their resumes, just to be considered for entry-level positions, often due to unspoken fears of intimidating their male counterparts or making them “uncomfortable”.

It’s a situation that begs the question: what are we doing for these women? How many female team leaders, program managers, and security directors do you know within the EP structures? How often are women hired outside the specific context of protecting a female or child? How many major security corporations truly treat female agents equitably? In a world that screams inclusion and diversity, these phrases sometimes appear to be mere buzzwords without genuine intention or action behind them. So, before we call for more women in EP, or make the claim that there’s “just not enough female agents available”, let’s ensure those who have been contributing to the industry for 5+ years receive equal opportunities for development and progression.

It’s disheartening to think of the budding professionals I might deter when they ask, “How does the market look for us ladies?” What else do all of you expect me to tell them? While I’m proud to be part of this industry, despite the struggles and obstacles, we must acknowledge that enduring difficulties in the past doesn’t necessitate their perpetuation. Change is not only possible, but also essential, and the time for it is now. Wake up, and look within the industry…They ARE here.

#femalebodyguards #womeninprotection #femaleexecutiveprotectionagents #femalesinprotection #womeninsecurity