Grassroots justice makes a difference

A community effort to bring about social justice is making its presence felt in rural areas of Nepal, where a decade-long Maoist insurgency to overthrow the government has undermined local law and order mechanisms. In remote rural areas of the Himalayan kingdom, access to courts is next to non-existent, making informal mechanisms such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s para-legal committees (PLC) a particularly encouraging sign of hope. “Before we were busy with our own work, but now we feel a part of society,” said 34-year-old Chandra Khanel, one of 15 PLC members in the village of Methinkot in Kabhre district, about 50 km east of the capital Kathmandu. “People trust us – particularly women,” the mother-of-two claimed. Here the men in her village take a backseat in this otherwise male-dominated society. While they are welcome to join the PLCs, it is the women who appear to be calling the shots - a real sign of actual empowerment. “We have been able to raise awareness on a wide range of women’s issues and now women are coming to us for solutions,” Chandra said proudly, noting that women were more forthright and resolute in their thinking than men – making their presence on the committees all the more vital. Chandra is not alone in her enthusiasm, underscoring a common sentiment shared by many of her peers around her. “I feel I have access to the law,” one Nepali woman asserted smiling. “Now I’m not afraid to speak out,” another quipped. But speaking out about societal wrongs in Nepal, an impoverished nation of 27 million, has never been easy. According to UNICEF, in Nepali society, child abuse, child marriage, domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, human trafficking, accusations of human trafficking, accusations of witchcraft, as well as disputes over property or dowry, are far from new. People have heard about these issues, witnessed them themselves and dealt with them in their own ways. And though some may seek support from others, many others remain silent altogether. Breaking that silence has been a primary goal of the community-based PLCs, an initiative which has significantly strengthened community order and stability; a major challenge in light of the ongoing Maoist insurgency. Supported by UNICEF, the first PLC was established in 1999 as part of an anti-trafficking project, in collaboration with the Centre for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLRRD), a local NGO, in 14 of the country’s 75 districts. However, following careful review of the project’s impact, UNICEF sought to expand its original scope to include all forms of violence, abuse and the exploitation of women and children. Since 2002, the UN children’s agency has been promoting PLCs at the village development committee (VDC) level as the core child protection intervention component within the agency’s country programme. “The project is meant to solve disputes at the community level – to facilitate a just outcome,” Bhanu Phathak, a UNICEF assistant project officer for child protection, explained, noting that committees now covered some 98 varying issues, primarily focusing on women’s and children’s rights. “We are working in 15 of the country’s 75 districts and plan to increase,” Phathak said, referring to agency plans to expand to eight more areas in the west of the country. Each committee is comprised of at least 11 people – most of whom are women - while an advisory committee provides further support when referrals are needed, demanding greater expertise in a specific subject. There were currently 301 PLCs in 301 VDCs, the lowest district political entity, spread across 15 districts, he said, adding that by 2007 that figure was expected to reach 400. And with an impressive track record to support it, it’s not hard to understand why. Budgets for such committees are nominal – just US $100 per year – while the dividends are great. Moreover, both government authorities and the Maoist rebels have recognised the PLCs’ value in solving local problems that might otherwise go unsolved. From property disputes to issues of domestic violence, women in rural communities are learning that their decisions actually count. “Such cases are not always easy and require a great deal of reconciliatory work,” Phathak explained. DS/SC/JL