Sikkim launched ‘Nari Adalat’ (Women’s Court) to promote women’s empowerment, ensuring quick, community-based justice and enhancing women’s participation in local dispute resolution and decision-making processes.
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GANGTOK: Sikkim has introduced a community-driven justice model that puts women at the lead. On the occasion of the first ‘Amma Samman Day’, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang inaugurated the ‘Nari Adalat’, a unique platform where women mediate and resolve local disputes quickly, fairly, and with empathy.
What is ‘Nari Adalat’?
‘Nari Adalat’ is a women-run community justice forum that operates on the principles of dialogue, mediation, and consensus rather than rigid legal procedures. Its primary goal is to empower women with decision-making authority, the justice process, especially in rural and semi-urban areas in resolving disputes within their communities.
Key Functions:
- Quick settlement of disputes such as family disagreements, minor domestic violence cases, and marital issues.
- Consensus-based resolutions that prioritize harmony over punishment.
- Local accessibility eliminates the need to navigate lengthy court processes.
The model draws inspiration from traditional community dispute resolution systems that have long existed in rural India, adapting them to modern governance needs.
Importance of ‘Nari Adalat’ in Women’s Empowerment
- Active participation: Women serve not just as complainants or witnesses, but as mediators and decision-makers.
- Leadership skills: Local women gain valuable experience in leadership, conflict resolution, and judicial processes.
- Safe environment: Women facing domestic or marital issues often feel more comfortable approaching an all-women forum for justice.
- Inclusive governance: It aligns with national efforts to improve women’s legal, social, and economic empowerment.
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Broader Impact on Justice Delivery
By resolving minor disputes at the community level, ‘Nari Adalat’ reduces the burden on formal courts and promotes community cohesion. It strengthens trust between citizens and governance structures while ensuring that justice is not delayed or denied due to procedural hurdles.
Sikkim’s initiative could serve as a model for other Indian states, blending traditional mediation with modern legal safeguards.
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