Islamabad, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), funded by the German Embassy in Islamabad, successfully concluded a key initiative aimed at enhancing access to justice for women, girls, and transgender persons in Balochistan. The project, known as the Women’s Access to Justice in Balochistan (WAJIB), marked significant progress in strengthening linkages between the provincial government and vulnerable communities, culminating in the drafting of the “Women’s Access to Property Bill” and the establishment of gender desks in Quetta and Pishin.

According to United Nations Development Programme, the project’s closure was commemorated at an event attended by prominent women leaders from Quetta and Pishin, along with representatives from various Balochistan commissions and departments. The celebration highlighted the achievements of WAJIB, which has processed over 4,000 legal aid cases through the newly established gender desks. Ms. Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, expressed gratitude towards the German Government for their support and lauded the commitment of Balochistan’s women in advancing gender-responsive policymaking.

The event featured a panel discussion where Ms. Fouzia Shaheen, Chairperson of the Balochistan Commission on the Status of Women, praised the project for fostering gender-responsive decision-making and legislative development. She specifically noted the creation of Balochistan’s first gender-sensitive “Media Code of Conduct” as a pivotal outcome of the initiative. Farkhanda Aurangzeb, a member of the National Commission for Human Rights, underscored WAJIB’s role in including grassroots women’s voices in decision-making, particularly during the emergency response to the 2022 flash floods in Balochistan.

German Ambassador Grannas, in his closing remarks, highlighted the inclusive approach of the project, which ensured the participation of marginalized groups in all consultative processes. He stressed the project’s impact on stabilizing at-risk communities by involving local women and civil society organizations.

The WAJIB project exemplifies UNDP’s ongoing efforts under its DHL project to promote gender-equal governance and build social trust through enhanced citizen-state dialogue, especially targeting vulnerable and at-risk populations.