Grassroots Women’s Courts Combating Gender-Based Violence: IIM-I Study

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A new study by the Indian Institute of Management Indore revealed that the often overlooked work of grassroots women’s courts in India is combating gender-based violence (GBV) effectively.

The research, co-authored by DPM alumna Poonam Barhoi along with Prof Ranjeet Nambudiri and Prof Nobin Thomas, explored how these informal, community-led forums are providing crucial access to justice in regions where formal legal systems fall short.

Published in the international journal Gender, Work & Organization, the study focuses on a women’s court in the Godda district of Jharkhand—a region grappling with deep-rooted patriarchal norms and limited access to formal justice.

The court, composed entirely of women, has quietly been resolving cases of domestic abuse, dowry violence, child marriage and sexual harassment using methods rooted in feminist solidarity and restorative justice.

“Formal justice mechanisms often remain inaccessible to the most vulnerable, particularly women from rural and marginalised communities,” the authors note. “Women’s courts offer a vital alternative rooted in community legitimacy and collective care.”

Unlike traditional courts, these forums operate outside legal systems, focusing on inclusive hearings, social mediation and rebuilding relationships rather than punitive measures. Yet, the work is far from easy. Survivors and court members alike face threats, social backlash, and systemic indifference—from police inaction to legal language barriers that alienate the very people justice systems are meant to protect.

The study also highlighted the emotional and financial burdens borne by the women who run these courts — many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds themselves. Despite often working without pay and facing personal risks, their commitment to gender justice remains unwavering.

Through extensive fieldwork, the IIM Indore team documented how these women engage in acts of both visible and invisible resistance—organising protests, performing street theatre, and negotiating with local authorities using self-acquired legal knowledge.

“These women are not only addressing individual cases of violence; they are challenging the broader structures that normalise such violence,” said the researchers.

The study calls for greater policy support, institutional recognition, and sustainable funding for grassroots justice mechanisms. It argues that empowering local women-led initiatives is key to addressing the widespread issue of GBV in India and the Global South where systemic inequalities and patriarchal constraints are more acute.

As the nation continues to grapple with growing reports of violence against women, the work of these grassroots courts—now validated by academic research—may hold critical lessons for building more inclusive and effective systems of justice.