SIDA visits to Village Court in Satkhira

Mr. Andersh Ventrum, Head of SIDA Bangladesh and Deputy Country Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka recently visited Satkhira to observe activities of Village Courts. Mr. Kajol Chatterjee, Project Manager of SWAPNO project also accompanied the delegation during the visit.

On 25 May 2019, the delegation participated in a discussion meeting in Kumira Union Parishad of Tala upazila to learn about activities of Village Courts in presence of Mr. Azizur Rahman, Chairman, Kumira Union Parishad and other representatives. During the meeting, Mr. Azizur shared, ‘Local people are regularly coming to Union Parishad to file complaints for settling their petty disputes in Village Court within short period and with very minimum cost as fee.’ He also added, ‘Poor women, who do not have financial ability and who usually face many obstacles to go to the district courts, are mostly benefitted from the services of Village Court.’ Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Phase II Project (AVCB II), with trio-partnership of European Union, Government of Bangladesh and UNDP works in Kumira union along with 35 unions of the district.

During a presentation, AVCB II District Facilitator Mr. Raju Jobed shared from July 2017 to April 2018, 143 cases were filed in Kumira union, among them 139 complaints have been resolved while the applicants received a total of BDT 32,58,700 ($ 38,794) as compensation. Ms. Kyoko urged concerned stakeholders to continue their supports in making Village Courts more functional to extend it services specially among the poor and under privileged people.