Context: The Centre is launching a unique initiative of setting up women-only courts - Nari Adalats - at the village level as an alternate dispute resolution forum for issues like domestic violence, property rights and countering the patriarchal system.

Nari Adalat

• Nari Adalat aims to provide an alternative dispute resolution forum for issues such as domestic violence, property rights, and countering patriarchal norms.

• The pilot project will commence in 50 villages each in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir, with plans for nationwide implementation over the next six months.

Structure and Functioning

• Composition: Each Nari Adalat will consist of 7-9 members, with half elected members of the gram panchayat and the other half being women with social standing, such as teachers, doctors, and social workers.

• The head of Nari Adalat called the Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi [chief legal friend] will be chosen among the Nyaya Sakhis, generally for a six-month term.

• The Nari Adalat though does not hold any legal status, has its primary focus on reconciliation, grievance redressal and creating awareness of rights and entitlements.

• Objectives: It will address individual cases, promote awareness about social schemes, collect feedback, raise awareness about legal rights, and resolve cases falling within its jurisdiction.

• Services Provided: The platform will offer alternate dispute resolution, grievance redressal, counseling, evidence-based decision making, pressure group tactics, negotiation, mediation, and reconciliation for accessible and affordable justice.

Significance of Nari Adalats

• The Nari Adalat will not only address individual cases but also raise awareness about social schemes under the government while collecting valuable feedback to enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives.

• It will cater to all women and girls who require assistance or have grievances within the local community.

Implementation and Collaboration

• Ministry-In-Charge: The Ministry of Women and Child Development will oversee the implementation of the scheme under the Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti, dedicated to women’s safety, security, and empowerment.

• Collaborative Efforts: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Rural Development, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Common Service Centers will collaborate in the implementation process.

• Standard Operating Procedures: Detailed procedures for all states have been prepared and will be released to ensure uniformity and effective functioning of Nari Adalats.

Inception of the idea

• Previous Initiatives: The scheme draws inspiration from the Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats (People’s Court of Women) previously operated by the National Commission for Women (NCW).

• Focus Areas: These courts addressed matters related to family affairs, matrimonial disputes, bigamy, succession, and motor vehicle accident disputes related to labor.

• Discontinued Scheme: The NCW-assisted Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats conducted a total of 298 sessions before the scheme was discontinued in 2014-15.

Need for such scheme

• Persisting Gender Bias: Women’s only courts counter gender bias in traditional court systems, providing a fair and non-discriminatory environment for women’s cases.

• Cultural and Social Barriers: These courts break down cultural and social barriers that prevent women from seeking justice, offering a culturally sensitive space where they can freely participate.

• Empowerment and Agency: Women’s only courts empower women to assert their rights, challenge patriarchal norms, and access justice independently.

• Addressing Specific Issues: These courts focus on women’s unique issues, including domestic violence, property rights, and gender-based discrimination.

• Enhanced Access to Justice: By being located at the village level, women’s only courts improve access to justice for women who face geographical and logistical challenges in reaching mainstream courts.

• Alternative Dispute Resolution: These courts offer mediation and negotiation options, which are more effective and less adversarial for resolving disputes, particularly in family and community conflicts.

• Precedents and Awareness: Women’s only courts set legal precedents and raise awareness about women’s rights, influencing social norms and promoting positive change.

Conclusion

• The establishment of women-only courts at the village level through the Nari Adalat initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to empowering women and promoting gender justice.