Quetta, In a landmark event, over 100 women lawyers from across Balochistan convened at the region’s first Women Lawyers Conference, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Balochistan Bar Council, with funding from the European Union. This historic conference aimed to forge connections among women legal professionals and discuss enhancing access and safety within the justice sector for women and marginalized groups.

According to United Nations Development Programme, the conference is part of the broader “Deliver Justice Project,” which seeks to make the justice sector more responsive to the needs of women and vulnerable populations in Balochistan. The event featured panel discussions and design thinking sessions where participants shared their experiences, celebrated their progress, and proposed solutions to ongoing challenges in their profession.

Dr. Rubaba Khan Buledi, Advisor to the Balochistan Chief Minister for Women Development, addressed the gathering as the chief guest, emphasizing the government’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for women in the legal field. She praised the efforts of the European Union, UNDP Pakistan, and the Balochistan Bar Council for their roles in empowering women lawyers in the province.

Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the EU in Pakistan, and Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, both highlighted the significance of the conference in their video messages. They commended the participants for their role in bringing justice closer to women and all residents of Balochistan, recognizing the attendees as agents of change in their communities.

The “Deliver Justice Project” is part of a larger initiative that includes efforts in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Merged Districts, aiming to support justice sector reforms, enhance access to justice, particularly for women and marginalized groups, and improve the quality of services in the security sector.

The UNDP Rule of Law Programme continues to implement various interventions to strengthen governance within the security and justice sectors across Pakistan, striving to ensure a more equitable and effective system.