PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ombudsperson in collaboration with Legal Aid Society on Friday organized a workshop to assess the implementation of “Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010’ and assess ombudsperson overall role in safeguarding women’s property rights in the province.
Established in 2019, the Ombudsperson office has been entrusted with the authority to adjudicate cases related to women’s inheritance, ensuring the protection of their ownership and possession rights.
The workshop aimed at evaluating the role of the Ombudsperson’s office in protecting women’s property rights under the abovementioned act in the province and to review cases concerning the implementation of the final orders passed by this forum.
The workshop covered discussions on other connected legislations passed by the province of KP that protect women’s rights to property, including matrimonial property rights.
The workshop was attended by approximately 35 participants including members and staff of the Ombudsperson’s office, local commissioners, and law interns.
Ms. Maliha Zia, Associate Director of the Legal Aid Society, joined online, while the Women’s Right to Legal and Matrimonial Property Program Team, comprising Ms. Sahar Maqbool (Program Manager), Ms. Sameen Wasim (Delivery Associate), and Yahya Bugti (Delivery Associate), attended the event in-person.
Ms. Nuzhat Taskeen, Senior Legal Officer, delivered a keynote on the occasion over the KP’s journey toward women’s property rights through various legislations.
She also conducted a comprehensive review of cases under the law, highlighting reasons for non-execution in the province.
The local commissioners highlighted the reluctance of the district administration in the field at the time of implementation of women’s property law.
The staff of the Ombudsperson office highlighted challenges while proceeding with property complaints and suggested measures to be proposed for further improvement of the prevailing system.
The workshop concluded with an interactive question and answer session, fostering a collaborative dialogue to enhance the prevailing system.
Faiz Ali, Legal Advisor Ombudsperson, Advocate Ms Sabiha and local commissioners Adv Zara Ishtiaq and Advocate Rizqan Rasheed shared their experiences in the field while implementing the orders passed by Ombudsperson under the Women property Rights Act 2019.
Masood Afridi, the Registrar of Ombudsperson, extended thanks to all participants and the Legal Aid Society for their active involvement in addressing issues related to the implementation of orders passed by this forum.
