Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD), Rajnagar Upazila organized a courtyard meeting in the Tarapasha-Haripasha area of Ward No. 7, Tengra Union, Rajnagar Upazila, Moulvibazar, with the participation of more than 50 community members from the Shabdakar ethnic community. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about Gram Adalat (Village Court) and promote greater understanding of accessible and lawful ways to seek justice at the local level.

The session was facilitated by 8 VBD volunteers, who engaged with community members through an open and participatory discussion. The meeting focused on the functions and importance of Gram Adalat, the process of submitting complaints, and how minor local disputes can be resolved fairly and lawfully without unnecessary complexity.

Special emphasis was placed on women’s access to justice, highlighting the importance of ensuring that women are aware of their rights and can seek appropriate support when facing local disputes or challenges. Participants were encouraged to learn more about the available mechanisms for resolving disputes and to share this knowledge with others in their communities.

The courtyard meeting also provided an opportunity for participants to openly discuss their understanding of local justice mechanisms and ask questions about Gram Adalat. The interactive nature of the session helped create a comfortable environment where community members could engage directly with the facilitators and gain practical knowledge.

The participation of more than 50 community members demonstrated the importance of taking legal and civic awareness initiatives directly to the community. By bringing information to people's doorsteps, VBD seeks to contribute to building communities where people are better informed about their rights and the available avenues for seeking justice.

Through this initiative, 8 VBD volunteers played an active role in creating awareness and facilitating meaningful community engagement. The session marked another step toward promoting accessible justice, strengthening community awareness, and encouraging people to understand and exercise their rights.

Justice should be accessible to everyone, and awareness of rights should reach every community.