Prishtina, November 20, 2024 – In the framework of marking the anniversary of the establishment of the Ombudsperson’s Institution, the Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj held a panel discussion on “Women’s property rights: Legal framework, theory and practice”.

Representatives of institutions, international organizations and representatives of civil society were present at the table.

The Ombudsperson revealed his views about women’s property rights, noting that only about 20 percent of women are registered owners, that the legal framework is not implemented, and that there are erroneous practices during recognition of property rights of women and girls.

All participants agreed that the legislation of the Republic of Kosovo ensures completely equal property rights for all without distinction, and contains security measures for the realization of these rights.

Despite this fact, the main challenges for the full enjoyment of property rights by women are presented in practice, which are customary law, cultural norms, informality, insufficient information about inheritance rights, not informing all heirs about the initiation of the inheritance procedure, as well as the delays of court procedures related to property rights issues. Likewise, other challenges are the relinquishment of inheritance, the realization of inheritance rights from the non-marital community and a number of issues that were revealed both by the panelists and by the participants.

Special emphasis has been placed on the right to renounce the property, which is defined by law, but regarding this right, the attendees have shown different attitudes, if the renunciation should be done after the acquisition of the property from or for this right to be exercised after acquiring property, which would strengthen the position of women and girls in terms of their rights.

The main conclusions that came out of this table are the full implementation of laws related to property rights, full awareness and information of women with their rights guaranteed by the Constitution and law, as well as the reduction of informality in property rights. .

The panelists who contributed to this discussion, experts in the field of property law, were Mr. Xhevat Azemi, Legal Expert, Mr. Abdulla Aliu, Professor at the University of Pristina and Mr. Adem Vokshi, Lawyer.