Empowering Women in Pakistan : Commercial Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms

Merchant, Navin ; Ali Khan, Isfandyar

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: ACCESS TO JUSTICE;    ADJUDICATION;    ADR;    ADVISORY SERVICES;    ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION;   

RP-ID  :  65277

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

An overburdened court system adds to thedisadvantages of women in Pakistan. Women entrepreneurs wholack the time and resources to battle a dispute in thecourts also run the risk of being victimized forhighlighting their problems. Mediation provides a valuablealternative, allowing women and others to settle disputesout of court. As a dispute-settlement mechanism, alternativedispute resolution (ADR) is gaining prominence and increasedapplication in most parts of the world. Its benefits areseveral. However, for countries where the justice systemlacks efficiency, embracing ADR is also difficult. In 2006,International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched an ADRproject with a goal of institutionalizing mediation for thefirst time in Pakistan. Although the project had noprovision for separate gender activities, opportunities werecreated for reaching out to women entrepreneurs and others.This smart lesson relates our experiences and the lessonsthe authors learned, demonstrating in particular how genderbecame an integral part of the project and the impact itgained over time.