A recent study shows that although the number of cases handled by village courts is rising across Bangladesh, women remain underrepresented. Only 31% of service recipients are women, compared to 69% men, and women’s involvement in decision-making — which grew from 9.68% in 2023 to 14.5% in 2024 — is still far below the government’s target of 56% by 2027. Experts warn this goal will be difficult to meet without major reforms.
At a Dhaka roundtable on September 21, speakers highlighted barriers faced by women, including lack of legal awareness, social discouragement, inadequate infrastructure, transport problems, and the risk of harassment during proceedings. Gender analyst Shamima Akter Shammi noted that the absence of supportive environments in union councils and the crisis of social acceptance in leadership roles are holding back women’s participation. Participants stressed that village courts must be made gender-sensitive and inclusive to secure equal access to justice for rural women and marginalized groups.
The government currently operates village courts in 4,453 union parishads across 61 districts, supported by UNDP and the EU. According to project officials, 78% of cases are resolved within 18 days at an average cost of Tk 328, reaching more than one million people nationwide. While officials praised the system’s efficiency, women leaders and rights advocates underscored that meaningful gender reforms are essential if rural women are to benefit equally from this local justice mechanism.
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