Women and girls from Shkoza local community marked the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign by learning how property rights protect dignity, security and independence. Organised by Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS) with the support of the action Improving the protection of the right to property and facilitating execution of ECtHR judgments in Albania (D-REX III), the session highlighted that access to property is not only a legal entitlement of Albanian women and girls pertaining to all groups and walks of life, but a basic human right, and as such, an essential source of empowerment for women and their families.

In her opening remarks, Giulia Re, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, underlined that property rights can shape a person’s security, dignity and independence. She emphasised that when women can better understand and exercise these rights, they strengthen their autonomy and contribute to more resilient communities. Ms Re also highlighted the importance of practical support mechanisms such as the TLAS-run Helpline on property rights, supported by the D-REX III action, which has already assisted more than one thousand individuals across Albania. The activity was also greeted by Aldo Aga, Director of the Community Centre of Shkoza, and Renata Cenko, Executive Director of TLAS.

TLAS lawyers and legal experts presented in detail the national legal framework and explained how limited access to information and documentation can expose women to economic forms of gender-based violence. Participants, including women, men, and Roma and Egyptian community members, shared their personal experiences in a very interactive way, illustrating the challenges of inheritance procedures, unclear property documents, and property registration or compensation mechanisms. The discussion offered a safe space for questions and exchange, with many participants noting that having trusted legal support available directly within their communities makes their rights feel more accessible and achievable.

This activity was organised by the action Improving the protection of the right to property and facilitating execution of ECtHR judgments in Albania (D-REX III), under the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye programme, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS) and the Community Centre of Shkoza.