Local government, rural development and co-operatives minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the recruitment of women to the village police would make the local government system more people-friendly and effective.
“To ensure justice at the village level, make the local government system more effective, increase women's participation, and strengthen the institutional capacity of village courts, female members will be recruited to the village police,” he said.
The minister said this at a meeting with a delegation of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the Secretariat. The four-member UNDP delegation was led by Deputy Resident Representative in Bangladesh Sonali Dayaratne.
During the meeting, they discussed the ongoing activities, progress and institutional capacity-building of the village court project.
They put emphasis on strengthening the role of village courts to ensure accessible, speedy and low-cost justice for rural people.
The LGRD Minister said village courts have been playing a significant role in resolving rural disputes in the region for more than a century.
He said the quick settlement of minor disputes at the local level would reduce pressure on formal courts and ensure easier access to justice for the general people.
Fakhrul stressed increasing women’s participation in the local government system, saying female member of the village police could play an important role in addressing social issues involving women and children.
He said enhancing the capacity of local government bodies is essential for implementation of various government development and social protection programmes effectively.
In this regard, the minister cited, technical and institutional support from development partners could play an important role in enhancing the capacity of the local government bodies.
Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening cooperation between the Bangladesh government and the UNDP to improve the effectiveness of village courts, ensure justice at the grassroots level and promote women’s empowerment.
High officials of Local government division, including Secretary Md Shahidul Hassan were present, said a PID handout.