Maria Berishaj is a sociologist, human rights activist and gender equality expert with extensive experience in promoting women's rights, social inclusion and equal participation in decision-making. She currently works as an independent expert in the fields of gender equality and human rights and is also engaged with UNOPS in Tirana, where she contributes to advancing women's inclusion and property rights in digitalisation processes, with a focus on equal access, social inclusion and the economic empowerment of women. Previously, she served as Gender Equality Advisor on the USAID Property Governance project, where she promoted property registration in women's names, particularly for women from rural areas and non-majority communities. She also contributed to the Office of the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, supporting the alignment of Kosovo's legislation with European Union standards in the areas of human rights and social inclusion. Drawing on her experience across the public sector, international organisations and civil society, she has developed expertise in gender equality, human rights, property rights and women's empowerment, contributing to the advancement of policies and practices that foster a more inclusive and equal society.