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Shalish is a traditional system for resolving minor disputes in rural Bangladesh. It aims at settling disputes, mainly relating to land and family issues, through mediation. The resolution is sought through discussion between the plaintiff(s) and the defendant(s), assisted by mediation and counselling of a group of respected village elders. It has, however, been observed that the poor and distressed women often do not get proper justice through this “alternative dispute resolution” system as it is normally biased towards the well to do, powerful and male parties. The main objective of the research was to (i) evaluate the work of four human rights organizations involved in the field in developing mechanisms for removing the negative biases; (ii) assess the approach and working procedures of these organizations; and (iii)develop a set of recommendations focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of their programs and identifying ways and means for effective participation of the poor and disadvantaged class as well as the distressed women in the salish system. The major findings of the project are: (i) it is not enough to disseminate information or to educate disempowered groups about their legal and political rights. It is critical to create enabling conditions in which people can begin to use their knowledge effectively; (ii) a fundamental enabling conditions for the exercise of equal rights to justice is the promotion of more egalitarian community level dispute resolution mechanisms. These must be based on the existing legal framework and sensitive to the interests of the most disadvantaged groups, especially women; (iii) until there is a serious shift in attitudes and gender ideology, institutions that work to transform the shalish must ensure that comprehensive monitoring and follow up services are provided to those who seek their assistance; (iv) elected female representatives at the Union Parishad level are still marginalized politically and socially. Their position must be strengthened. In order to strengthen local level democracy, elected women representatives must establish greater social legitimacy as human rights activists and advocates; (v) trained female shalishdars often find that they have knowledge but lack the authority to make a substantial difference. Nurturing solidarity and networking among women leaders will allow women to raise their voices collectively and assert their position in the community more visibly and effectively. The study recommended that : (i) making provisions for confidential shalish should be made. Once a shalish is held, it as public as going to the courts in some instances. This makes women more vulnerable. " If you take a girl to face a court, the question of honour always arises, that woman will not be able to get married";(ii) targeting women UP members directly, so that they are able ton sit on shalish. Women find it very difficult to make them heard; women UP members automatically come with some degree of authority; and (iii) in many areas, Imams and Maulavis are called to sit on a shalish only when a point of clarification on personal laws is needed.
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