Bhubaneswar, January 7: The Odisha government is likely to launch ‘Nari courts’ (women’s courts) as part of a pilot project in Govindapalli gram panchayat, Malkangiri district, soon. The initiative aims to provide an alternative grievance mechanism at the panchayat level to address issues of harassment, violence, and rights violations against women.

The ‘Nari Adalats,’ to be rolled out in 10 districts, will be managed by women collectives, with each collective consisting of 7-9 members, called ‘Nyaya Sakhis,’ led by a ‘Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi.’ These members will be chosen through gram sabhas, and the district magistrate will oversee the courts’ functioning.

The courts will primarily focus on raising awareness about legal rights and resolving women’s cases through mediation, negotiation, and evidence-based approaches. They will also guide women through the legal process and provide support such as medical and psychological assistance. The initiative will be introduced in areas like Malkangiri, Balangir, Dhenkanal, and other districts, with a special emphasis on empowering women leaders in elected roles.