Nari Adalats : Unique Initative
The Indian government is launching a unique initiative to establish women courts (known as Nari Adalats) at the village level as an alternative dispute resolution forum for issues such as domestic violence and property rights.
- The pilot project will start in 50 villages each in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir in August and will later be expanded to the rest of the country.
- The Nari Adalat of each village would have 7-9 members half of which would be the elected members of the gram panchayat and the other half women with social standing like teachers, doctors and social workers – who would be nominated by the villagers.
- The head of Nari Adalat called the Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi[chief legal friend] will be chosen among the Nyay Sakhis.
- The tenure of the head will be generally six months after which a new one will be selected.
- The courts aim to address individual cases, raise awareness about social schemes, and provide accessible and affordable justice through alternate dispute resolution, counselling, and grievance redressal.
- The initiative is part of the Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti (Ministry of Women and Child Development), which focuses on strengthening women’s safety, security, and empowerment.
- The scheme draws inspiration from the Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats, which were run by the National Commission for Women until 2014-15 and addressed family and matrimonial disputes.
- It is Collaboration between the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Rural Development and Common Service Centers operated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
