ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) at workplace Fauzia Viqar and provincial ombudspersons on Tuesday vowed to play their role in proper implementation of laws related to women’s property rights.

The FOSPAH convened meeting with provincial ombudspersons to discuss the amendments in the Enforcement of the Women’s Property Rights Act, 2020. Held at FOSPAH’s Head Office, the meeting brought together key stakeholders from across the country to discuss existing statutes, challenges, and strategies for ensuring women’s property rights.

The participants of the meeting highlighted common hurdles in protecting women’s property rights, such as procedural delays, societal resistance to women’s property ownership, and lack of awareness among stakeholders and the public.

Discussions focused on the Enforcement of the Women’s Property Rights Act, 2020, identifying gaps in implementation, addressing mutual challenges, strategising solutions to ensure the law’s effectiveness, and broadening the powers of the ombudsperson.

Matters of common interest were also deliberated, including the need for enactment of property laws in Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit Baltistan, where the Act 2020 is absent, proposed amendments to strengthen existing laws, and follow-ups with the government to advocate for women’s property rights in underserved regions.

Participants shared regional experiences, highlighting common hurdles in protecting women’s property rights, such as procedural delays, societal resistance to women’s property ownership, and lack of awareness among stakeholders and the public. The proposed amendments include adding the property rights of transgender persons to the Act 2020, auction of property between the family members, increased scope of the definition of property (moveable and immovable) in the EWPRA Act, 2020, and strict execution of the order of the ombudsperson, among other suggestions.

“The Women’s Property Rights Act, 2020, is a special law aimed at empowering women and safeguarding their legal rights. However, its success depends on collective efforts to overcome implementation and execution challenges and ensure justice for women across the country from deprivation to their rightful share of the property,” said Ms Viqar.

KP ombudsperson Ms Rakhshanda Naz highlighted the substantial challenges that come with the enforcement of women’s inheritance and property rights. Senior Legal Adviser Ms Meraj Tareen at the Capital Development Authority, provided an in-depth analysis of the challenges associated with the implementation of legal orders related to the transfer of property in the name of the legal heirs, particularly in cases involving court’s stay orders and instances of recanted statements. Punjab ombudsperson Ms Nabeela Hakim highlighted the widespread prevalence of women’s dowry-related issues and their profound social and economic implications.

The meeting also addressed the importance of strengthening institutional mechanisms, capacity building, and outreach initiatives to expedite resolution processes.

Participants committed to working together to advocate for women’s property rights where such protections are non-existent, strengthen current laws, and actively follow up with the government to address roadblocks hindering implementation.

The session concluded with a pledge to prioritise enhanced coordination, develop robust awareness campaigns, and ensure timely justice for women, underscoring the importance of protecting their property rights as a fundamental aspect of gender equality and empowerment.

Besides others, the meeting was attended by PunjabOmbudsperson Nabeela Hakim, KP Ombudsperson Rakhshanda Naz, Acting BalochistanOmbudsperson Saira Atta, Consultant SindhOmbudsperson Manthar Ali Jatoi and several other government officials.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2025