K-P gets its first female ombudsperson

Rukhshanda Naz is a human rights activist

PESHAWAR: Rukhshanda Naz, a human rights activist, has been appointed as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's first woman ombudsperson.

Naz has been given the post to stop harassment of women in public and private institutions, according to a notification issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment.

She will serve as the provincial ombudsperson for a three-year term.

Sources say that the decision to appoint her was made during a provincial cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The Awami National Party-led provincial government had decided to appoint Naz as the ombudsperson in 2012; however, the decision could not be materialised.

The law against the harassment of women at workplace was imposed all over the province in 2010 but due to an ombudsperson not being appointed, there were hindrances in provision of justice to women with harassment complaints.

Naz is currently heading the chapter of Aurat Foundation, and has worked for several NGOs.