Rangpur: Village courts have been ensuring justice for rural people and contributing to peace and harmony at the grassroots level, speakers said at a meeting here today. They highlighted the vital role these courts play in providing access to justice for rural women, allowing them to obtain justice easily and at a low cost.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the observation came at a half-yearly coordination meeting on "District-level Village Court Activities Review and Way Forward" held at the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office, organized under the "Activation of Village Court in Bangladesh (Third Phase)" project. Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter addressed the meeting as chief guest, with Deputy Director of Local Government Zakiul Islam in the chair.
DC Afia Akhter emphasized that village courts are instrumental in providing the rural poor, women, and other vulnerable groups with a local and accessible justice system. She noted that these courts offer an alternative to the often intimidating and costly formal courts, by settling minor disputes quickly and avoiding lengthy and complex processes.