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Legal Literacy
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION
LITERACY: MEANING
The term literacy can be defined as the basic ability to read and write. The
United Nations Educational, Social and ultural !rgani"ation #UNES!$,
defines the term %literacy& as 'a (erson is literate who can, with understanding,
read and write a short statement on his e)eryday life'. Literacy is the ability to
use '(rinted and written information to function in society, to achie)e one*s goals,
and to de)elo( one*s +nowledge and (otential'. n recent years, the focus of
literacy has changed from an em(hasis on le)els of schooling to a focus on
functional s+ills.
LEGAL LITERACY: MEANING
- definition, based on the Macquarie Dictionarydefinition of the words is *the
(ossession of an education connected with the law ... a de)elo(ment or training
connected with the law*. Legal literacy means ma+ing (eo(le aware of their
rights. t is the first ste( towards the +nowledge of law. Legal literacy is seen as a
tool to bring about ualitati)e change at the grass/root le)el. t has been witnessed
that better awareness of laws hel(s (eo(le wor+ more effecti)ely in di)erse
s(heres. Legal literacy is commonly understood as +nowing the (rimary le)el in
law. 0hen citi"ens, (articularly marginali"ed or under(ri)ileged grou(s, +now
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what the law has to offer them, they can recogni"e and challenge in2ustices much
more forcefully. The first ste( towards that +nowledge of the law, which can
transform (eo(le*s li)es, is legal literacy. t is essential to use this +nowledge as a
tool for )ulnerable grou(s to be able to understand and critiue the law, to
familiari"e themsel)es with the sco(e of their rights under the law, and e)entually
to assert their rights as a means to ta+e action and bring in change.
Legal literacy is the core basis of the rule of law and essential for the sur)i)al of
our constitutional democracy. ndeed, our entire 2ustice deli)ery system is based
on the (resum(tion that all (eo(le are aware of their rights and are able to
a((roach the concerned institution. n terms of legal literacy, the mere ability to
read is not enough. Em(owerment of (eo(le is )ery im(ortant. Literacy without
em(owerment is useless. Em(owerment is not created automatically by being
able to read but it is created by being able to read rele)ant information and using
that information. The information offered through legal literacy must be such that
it enables the (erson to ta+e some action. Thus legal literacy is the first ste( for
the em(owerment of the masses, es(ecially the wea+er sections of the society.
There are a number of organi"ations within and outside the go)ernment that are
in)ol)ed in s(reading legal literacy among )arious sections of the society, using
)arious methods and tools. There is a subtle but significant, difference between
literacy and legal literacy. f a (erson is 2ust a literate, he or she may say at
best, this is mine3 but if that (erson is a legal literate, that is imbued with the
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s(irit of legal literacy, he or she may say with assertion, this is rightfully mine.
Lessons in legal literacy are the means of ma+ing (eo(le aware of their rights 5
the rights that are guaranteed to them by the onstitution of their own creation.
The o((ressed and ignorant masses are reuired to be taught what their rights are,
how those rights relate to them, and how they themsel)es should fructify them in
their own life in order to become the master of their own destiny.
Legal literacy is the core basis of the rule of law and constitutionalism. n fact,
the whole conce(t of administration of 2ustice is (remised on the (resum(tion that
the (eo(le are legal/literate3 that is3 they +now their rights, which are recogni"ed
and (rotected by the law and onstitution. Legal literacy, thus, hel(s in a)oiding
conflict situation. t facilitates access to 2ustice system. t hel(s in eliminating
ineuality and discrimination. Lac+ of legal literacy, on the other hand, ma+es the
ignorant masses )ulnerable to dece(tion, de(ri)ation, and e6(loitation of all sorts.
n ndia, there are go)ernmental organi"ations such as the National Legal
Ser)ices -uthority #N-LS-$ and non/go)ernmental organi"ations #N7!s$ that
are in)ol)ed in the s(reading of legal awareness among the masses.
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CHAPTER II
THE NATIONAL LEGAL LITERACY MISSION,
2005
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THE NATIONAL LEGAL LITERACY MISSION ,
2005
The National Legal Literacy :ission was launched on the ; thof :arch,
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on its (rime list include women, children, minority communities, )ictims of
militancy, crime, disasters and disease, child and bonded labour, landless farmers,
downtrodden and tribal, es(ecially in the North/East, )ictims of se6 e6(loitation,
farmers hit by natural calamities such as drought and floods and so on. The
:ission also (ro(oses to sensiti"e the (olice, army and other organi"ed forces
which are (rone to committing in2ustice and causing )iolation of human rights
and other +inds of atrocities. The main (ur(ose of the National Literacy :ission
is the em(owerment of the 2ustice deli)ery system of the country. The main
hurdles that come in the way of em(owering the 2ustice deli)ery system are
ignorance and illiteracy, a(art from (o)erty. lliteracy and ignorance force large
masses of (eo(le to tolerate social and economic ineualities. The goal of
euality before the law continues to remain a myth or an illusion. The :ission
aims at the stri+ing at the root of the (roblems of ignorance and illiteracy which
(ose a great threat to securing 2ustice for all citi"ens of the country.
The National Legal Literacy :ission is being carried out by the National Legal
Ser)ices -uthority and other such State authorities. ?ollowing the s(irit of the
National Legal Literacy :ission, @thof No)ember since
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CHAPTER III
THE NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
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THE NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
-rticle 4@- of the onstitution of ndia (ro)ides that State shall secure that the
o(eration of the legal system (romotes 2ustice on a basis of eual o((ortunity,
and shall in (articular, (ro)ide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or
in any other way, to ensure that o((ortunities for securing 2ustice are not denied
to any citi"en by reason of economic or other disability. -rticle 18 and -rticle
#1$ also ma+e it obligatory for the State to ensure euality before law and a
legal system which (romotes 2ustice on a basis of eual o((ortunity to all. Legal
aid stri)es to ensure that constitutional (ledge is fulfilled in its letter and s(irit
and eual 2ustice is made a)ailable to the (oor, downtrodden and wea+er sections
of the society. To ensure the a)ailability of the same constitutional (ro)ision to
the citi"ens of ndia, the Legal Ser)ices -uthorities -ct was enacted in the year
1@CB, but the -ct came into force on @thNo)ember, 1@@9. The National Legal
Ser)ices -uthority #N-LS-$ was constituted on 9thAecember, 1@@9 under the
Legal Ser)ices -uthorities -ct.
- nationwide networ+ has been en)isaged under the -ct for (ro)iding legal aid
and assistance. National Legal Ser)ices -uthority is the a(e6 body constituted to
lay down (olicies and (rinci(les for ma+ing legal ser)ices a)ailable under the
(ro)isions of the -ct and to frame most effecti)e and economical schemes for
legal ser)ices. The National Legal Ser)ices -uthority has a statutory status. t has
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a )ision, a mission and a (assion for securing 2ustice to all.t also disburses funds
and grants to State Legal Ser)ices -uthorities and N7!s for im(lementing legal
aid schemes and (rogrammes.
!ne of the initial schemes and measures of the National Legal Ser)ices -uthority
included accreditation of N7!s for Legal Literacy and Legal -wareness
cam(aigns N-LS- organi"es a number of legal literacy cam(s at )arious (laces
throughout the country in order to s(read legal awareness among the masses.
The National Legal Ser)ices -uthority en)isages the creation of a cadre, called
the (aralegals #on the analogy of (ara/medicals$, who shall be trained and
de(loyed as community ad)ocates 5 the (ersons who would be able to
understand, a((reciate and articulate the needs of the under(ri)ileged. N-LS-,
by the way of )arious legal aid cam(s, brochures, etc. is s(reading legal
awareness among the (eo(le, es(ecially the wea+ and the down/trodden.
N-LS- issues =ress Deleases in almost all the leading news(a(ers in the country
in English, indi and regional languages to con)ey to the (ublic salient
(ro)isions of the Legal Ser)ices -uthorities -ct, the im(ortant schemes
introduced by N-LS- for (ro)iding legal aid and the utility of Lo+ -dalats, so
that (eo(le should +now about the facilities being (ro)ided by Legal Ser)ices
-uthorities throughout the country. State Legal Ser)ices -uthorities all o)er the
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country organise Lo+ -dalats, legal literacy cam(s and underta+e legal awareness
cam(aign to ma+e (eo(le aware of their legal rights.
Legal Ser)ices -uthority s(reads legal literacy byF
!rgani"ing Legal Literacy am(s3
!rgani"ing 0or+sho(s of Law3
(ro)iding Law Literature to the (ublic in the regional language at low cost
by (ublishing boo+s on )arious sub2ects of law written by e6(erts in the
field3
creating awareness about the law of the land amongst general (ublic by
utili"ing mass media li+e Dadio, Tele)ision and the li+e.
Legal Ser)ices -uthority welcomes all indi)iduals and Non/7o)ernmental
!rganisations who are willing to in)ol)e themsel)es in the abo)e mentioned
acti)ities of the -uthority as it would go along way in achie)ing the aims and
ob2ecti)es of the -uthority.
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CHAPTER IV
STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
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STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
n e)ery State a State Legal Ser)ices -uthority is constituted to gi)e effect to the
(olicies and directions of the entral -uthority #N-LS-$ and to gi)e legal
ser)ices to the (eo(le and conduct Lo+ -dalats in the State. State Legal Ser)ices
-uthority is headed by the hief >ustice of the State igh ourt who is its
=atron/in/hief. - ser)ing or retired >udge of the igh ourt is nominated as its
E6ecuti)e hairman.
Aistrict Legal Ser)ices -uthority is constituted in e)ery Aistrict to im(lement
Legal -id =rogrammes and Schemes in the Aistrict. The Aistrict >udge of the
Aistrict is its e6/officio hairman.
Talu+ Legal Ser)ices ommittees are also constituted for each of the Talu+ or
:andal or for grou( of Talu+ or :andals to coordinate the acti)ities of legal
ser)ices in the Talu+ and to organi"e Lo+ -dalats. E)ery Talu+ Legal Ser)ices
ommittee is headed by a senior i)il >udge o(erating within the 2urisdiction of
the ommittee who is its e6/officio hairman.
-lmost all the State Legal Ser)ices -uthorities are identifying suitable and
trustworthy Non/7o)ernmental !rganisations #N7!s$, through whom legal
literacy cam(aign may be ta+en to tribal, bac+ward and far/flung areas in the
country. The effort is to (ublicise legal aid schemes so that the target grou(, for
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whom Legal Ser)ices -uthorities -ct has (ro)ided for free legal aid, may come
to +now about the same and a((roach the concerned legal ser)ices functionaries.
n a country where ma2ority of the (eo(le still li)e below (o)erty line, where
millions and millions ha)e ne)er gone to a school and the society still
discriminates on the basis of se6, religion and caste, legal literacy and legal
awareness is the only road which can lead the suffering ma2ority to the door of
euality /social, economical and (olitical. Legal Ser)ices functionaries therefore,
ha)e a )ery )ital role to (lay so as to nourish and safeguard the constitutional
goal of 'eual 2ustice for all'.
nformation regarding the organi"ation of legal aid cam(s and awareness
(rogrammes of some of the State Legal Ser)ice -uthorities is as gi)en belowF
DELHI LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY (DLSA)
Aelhi Legal Ser)ices -uthority has been constituted under the State Legal
Ser)ices -uthorities -ct, 1@CB. The -uthority has constituted igh ourt Legal
Ser)ices ommittee at Aelhi igh ourt, Legal Ser)ices -uthority at Tis a"ari
and its Sub/!ffices at =atiala ouse ourts, Gar+ardooma ourts om(le6 and
Dohini ourts om(le6. The Legal Ser)ices -uthorities -ct, 1@CB, was enacted
to effectuate the constitutional mandate enshrined under -rticles 18 and 4@/- of
the onstitution of ndia. The ob2ect is to (ro)ide access to 2ustice for all so that
2ustice is not denied to citi"ens by reason of economic or other disabilities.
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owe)er, in order to enable the citi"ens to a)ail the o((ortunities under the -ct
in res(ect of grant of free legal aid etc. t is necessary that they are made aware of
their rights.
Legal aid is an essential (art of the -dministration of >ustice. %-ccess to >ustice
for all& is the motto of the -uthority. The goal is to secure 2ustice to the wea+er
sections of the society, (articularly to the (oor, downtrodden and socially
bac+ward, women, children and handica((ed etc. Such ste(s are needed to be
ta+en to ensure that nobody is de(ri)ed of an o((ortunity to see+ 2ustice merely
for want of funds or lac+ of +nowledge. To ensure this, the -uthority organi"es
Legal Literacy and -wareness am(s in different (arts of National a(ital
Territory of Aelhi.
The -uthority has been organi"ing )arious legal awareness (rogrammes from
time to time to sensiti"e the (ublic about their legal rights. These (rogrammes
areF
1. The -uthority is s(reading legal awareness amongst (eo(le by gi)ing
ad)ertisements through electronic media, (rint media and by (ublishing articles
in )arious news(a(ers.
2.The -uthority celebrates e)ents of National m(ortance li+e 0omens Aay,
Labour Aay, 0orld -nti/Tobacco Aay, H National Legal Ser)ices Aay in
(artnershi( with 7o)ernmental and Non/7o)ernmental !rgani"ations.
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3. The -uthority is organi"ing Nukkad Nataks, street (lays, s+its, etc. to
educate and generate (ublic awareness on social and legal issues li+e ?emale
?oeticide, hild Labour, Aomestic Iiolence against 0omen etc.
4.Aocumentary films namely Satyame) >ayate on legal aid H Aesh Gi
Shaan ai Jeti on issues relating to women were released.
5.- Dadio (rogramme is also being broadcasted on ?: Dainbow for ma+ing
the general (ublic aware about their legal rights and the laws (assed for
eradication of social e)ils.
6.Legal literacy :ission through Electronic :edia, =rint :edia, -rticles,
=am(hlets, Joo+lets, :aga"ines and Nyaya Giran.
The Aelhi Legal Ser)ices -uthority is ma+ing a constant endea)our for the
s(reading of legal awareness and also its multifarious acti)ities amongst the
general (ublic. n furtherance of the same ob2ecti)e, the Aelhi Legal Ser)ices
-uthority organi"ed legal awareness cam( and a legal aid (rogramme.
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IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2010
1.- Legal -wareness H Legal -id =rogramme was organised by Aelhi Legal
Ser)ices -uthority in (artnershi( with -dharshila on anuary,
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IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2010
1. Awarene !rogrammeF -wareness =rogramme was organi"ed by Aelhi
Legal Ser)ices -uthority in association with :aa >awala >i Aarbar Aharmarth
Trust on 18th ?ebruary,
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order to settle dis(utes (ending in the ourts as also at the (re/litigati)e stage
amicably, thereby sa)ing time, effort and money of (arties and the ourts.
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ERALA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY (ELSA)
-s a measure to s(read legal literacy among the general (ublic, the Gerala State
Legal Ser)ices -uthority has in the recent (ast gi)en more im(ortance to
im(arting legal literacy among the women of the state, i.e., em(owerment of
women through legal literacy. -(art from the ob2ecti)e of demystifying law,
these under graduate students who are in the thresholds of their social and family
life are gi)en general awareness on the law relating to women. !ne la+h co(ies of
Lessons in Law ha)e been distributed to the targeted grou( of women students
with the acti)e co/o(eration of the National Swayamsewa+ Sangh #N.S.S.$
=rogramme oordinators of fi)e Uni)ersities in Gerala.
Aes(ite the (aradigm shift in focusing legal literacy to the educational institutions
li+e schools and colleges, GELS- has not withdrawn its acti)ities of conducting
legal literacy cam(s in )illages and remote areas. The TLSs ha)e been
instructed to conduct at least one legal literacy cam( in e)ery uarter of the year.
The legal literacy classes ha)e co)ered during this (eriod about B.9la+h(ersons.
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HARYANA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY
To (ro)ide Legal Literacy to the masses is the main ob2ecti)e of -LS-.
National Legal Literacy :ission was launched on ;.4.
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CHAPTER V
TOOLS USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SPREADING LEGAL LITERACY
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TOOLS USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SPREADING LEGAL LITERACY
The National Legal Ser)ices -uthority, the )arious State Legal Ser)ices
-uthorities and the Non/7o)ernmental !ganisations #N7!s$, in)ol)ed in the
wor+ of s(reading legal literacy among the general (ublic use a number of tools
for the same. These organi"ations are s(read across the country and their wor+
in)ol)es the s(reading of legal literacy amongst different +inds of (eo(le.
ommon tools used for the (ur(ose of s(reading legal awareness includeF
Legal Literacy )amp
am(s on legal literacy are one of the most common modes through which
awareness is created among the (ublic. Such cam(s can be held in )arious
areas and may create awareness with regard to the rights of the (eo(le.
They ha)e to be made aware on the a)ailability of free legal aid and the
(rocedures to be followed therein. Under the legal literacy (rogrammes of
the Aelhi Legal Ser)ices -uthority, information boo+lets are circulated
among the (eo(le. These boo+lets contain information regarding the
(ersons who can benefit from the free/legal aid scheme of the authority.
The information boo+let also consists of an a((lication form in both
English and indi.
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*ewpaper an& ot+er $in& o" common print me&ia. 7enerally
news(a(ers ha)e wide circulation and are also a)ailable in the local
language of an area. These can be used to create awareness with res(ect to
certain rights of the (eo(le or they may contain of the brief e6(lanation of
a new or an e6istent enactment in brief. =resently, almost all the
news(a(ers contain ad)ertisements titled %'aago ,ra+a$ 'aago-, using
which the go)ernmental agencies are trying to create awareness among the
consumers with regards to the )arious rights they ha)e in case they
(urchase faulty or defecti)e goods. The same ad)ertisements are also
aired on )arious radio channels. The National ommission for 0omen
also ad)ertises about its free legal aid schemes for women. -rticles may be
written on the same issues in the news(a(ers. =am(hlets and brochures of
the State Legal Ser)ice -uthorities, creating awareness on )arious issues
are being circulated.
%a&io 'ingle
Dadio is another common tool that can be used for the s(read of legal
awareness or legal literacy. Short ad)ertisements relating to certain issues
or enactments may aired )ia the radio on different channels. Dadio is also
an im(ortant tool in this regard because many (eo(le regularly listen to
)arious (rogrammes or shows on the radio. =resently, many short 2ingles
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regarding Lo+ -dalats, womens rights, (ayment of ta6es, etc, are being
aired on almost all the channels on the radio.
treet !lay
=resently, a large number of N7!s use the mode of street (lays or
Nukkad Nataks to create general awareness on certain socio/legal issues
li+e domestic )iolence, dowry deaths, education of the girl child, etc.
Legal Literacy /or$+op
0or+sho(s creating awareness on the use and im(ortance of (rocedures
such as -lternati)e Ais(ute Desolution #-AD$, mediation and conciliation
may be held.
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CHAPTER VI
METHODOLOGY OF CONDUCTING LEGAL
LITERACY CAMPS FOLLO!ED BY SOME
NGO"
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METHODOLOGY OF CONDUCTING LEGAL
LITERACY CAMPS FOLLO!ED BY SOME
NGO"
(A) E#$%&'L*+ D-#. F%&/
%!anc+ayat +i0ir& is the indi term for an interacti)e Legal Literacy am( /
broadly translated as a )illage council wor+sho( or it is also +nown as %anooni
a$+arta +i0ir&. The methodology ado(ted by different organi"ations might
differ from one and another.
Li+e for instance the methodology followed by a firm called theEnviro-Legal
Defence ir!", mention some common factors the e6istence of which is loo+ed
by the trainers during legal literacy cam(s. These factors are as followsF
1. t is )ery necessary that (eo(le conducting these cam(s include a small
number of such (ersons who are well/)ersed with the local language of the
area in which such a cam( is being held.
1En0iroLegal De"ence Firm i a "irm t+at organie legal literacy camp wit+
relation to t+e legilation on 0ariou iue relate& to t+e en0ironment.
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. -nother method that is commonly used by the Non/7o)ernmental
agencies is that they generally start building u( on the e6isting +nowledge
of the (eo(le on law.
4. Li)e e6am(les are used, (referably a recent e6am(le or one familiar to the
audience, or which the trainer might ha)e undergone himself or herself
during their res(ecti)e field )isits. This will hel( (eo(le understand how
legislation wor+s in the field.
8. n case of literacy cam(s held on common to(ics, (artici(ation of both
men and women of the )illage or area should be ensured.
n case the literacy cam( relates to raising of awareness with regards to a
(articular -ct or legislation, some of the (oints that can be +e(t in mind are as
followsF
1. The (ur(ose of the -ct or legislation is to be first e6(lained.
. The main definitions contained in the (articular legislation should be
e6(lained to the (eo(le in a language and manner that are easily
understandable to the masses.
4. Ne6t, the authorities res(onsible for the enforcement of the -ct should be
e6(lained along with the conseuences of not following the (ro)isions of
such legislation.
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8. n case, the legislation is area/s(ecific, then the uniueness of that
legislation should be e6(lained along with its im(ortance and effect on that
area.
9. om(le6 legal conce(ts should be bro+en down into sim(le com(onents.
;. =artici(ants should be encouraged to s(ea+ during the cam(.
(B) M% A.%'# R"+&.3 G&' (MARG)
:arg is a non/go)ernmental organisation founded in 1@C9. ts focus is on legal
rights of women, children and other disad)antaged sections of society. The wor+
is carried out through three (rogrammesF
Legal Literacy =rogrammes
0omen and hildren =rogrmmes
Ais(lacement and Dehabilitation =rogrammes
The goal and ob2ecti)e of :-D7 has been to bring +nowledge of basic rights to
as many (eo(le as (ossible, es(ecially the economically and socially
disad)antaged women.
S&+*4 -'& 3 "&+ '- L*+ A6+""
This tas+ is achie)ed in three ways.
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1. ?irstly, by (roducing legal literacy materials.
. Secondly, by conducting legal literacy wor+sho(s with women at the
grass root le)els3 and
4. Thirdly,by (ro)iding legal counselling to (eo(le who a((roach theorgani"ation.
:-D7 uses legal awareness training +its. These +its include the followingF
:-D7 has 1< legal manuals titled #a!are Kanoon$in indi and %urLa&s$ in English. -bout 9 laws ha)e been e6(lained in a lucid mannerunder the aegis of Labour laws such as :inimum 0ages -ct, Eual
Demuneration -ct, :aternity Jenefit -ct, 0or+men om(ensation -ct3
family laws relating to indu, :uslim and hristian laws on marriage,
di)orce, maintenance, -do(tion, custody of children and (ro(erty rights.
riminal law (ro)isions such as those relating to dowry, ra(e and other
rights )is/K/)is (olice and other miscellaneous laws such as the =rotection
of i)il Dights -ct, laws on child marriage, :edical Termination of
=regnancy -ct, etc. These manuals form the (art of the training materials
in wor+sho(s held by :-D7. -ll these manuals and materials ha)e been
written in the sim(lest manner.
TARGET GROUPS
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:-D7 organi"es legal literacy cam(s for women and men, both at the urban and
rural areas in order to ma+e them aware of their rights under )arious laws. These
cam(s when held do not consist of more than 4< (artici(ants.
:-D7 has also been conducting legal literacy wor+sho(s in schools and
colleges. t also has summer cam(s where students are made )olunteers and are
also trained in certain laws, so that they can im(art that +nowledge during the
legal literacy cam(s.
These legal literacy cam(s are held with the (ur(ose of em(owering the (eo(le
through legal awareness of their rights.
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CHAPTER VII
LEGAL LITERACY: PRESENT DAY SCENARIO
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LEGAL LITERACY: PRESENT DAY SCENARIO
The go)ernment has ta+en u( many initiati)es to create legal awareness among
the (eo(le of the country. The National Legal Literacy :ission during its life of a
(eriod of fi)e years, u( till now has achie)ed success u(to an e6tent. The e6tent
of legal awareness in the (resent day scenario is uite dismal. ronically, though,
our onstitution (ro)ides for )arious measures in this regard, those who should
be ta+ing benefit of these (ro)isions are obli)ious of the fact that they ha)e such
(ri)ileges. t may be said that ins(ite of the many efforts and measures ta+en to
create legal awareness, the (resent legal literacy rates are not )ery high. =eo(le
li)ing in many of the rural (arts of the country are still not aware of their basic
rights and (ri)ileges. There are many reasons that are causing hindrances in the
way of the agencies in reaching the masses, one of the ma2or reasons being that
non5a)ailability of adeuate funds. !rgani"ing legal literacy cam(s is an
e6(ensi)e affair. The agencies in)ol)ed in im(arting legal literacy ha)e the
(aucity of funds and thus that (re)ents them from going to the )ery remote (arts
of the country.
The go)ernment is aware of the fact that the funds for the (ur(ose are limited, but
somehow it has failed to remo)e the hindrances. -nother ma2or cause for the half
success of the Legal Literacy mission is the orthodo6y (resent in the social
outloo+ of the society. :any a times, the thought of what the society may thin+ of
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a (articular act +ee(s the (eo(le, es(ecially women away from a((roaching the
concerned authorities to curb the menace. t is this outloo+ that has to be changed
and for this change to be brought about the coo(e4ration of e)ery segment of the
society is reuired.
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CHAPTER VIII
SUGGESTIONS
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SUGGESTIONS
S(reading of legal literacy should in)ol)e lawyers and 2udges because they
are much better e6(erience as well as s+illed than the non/lawyer trainers.
Legal literacy should be com(ulsorily im(arted in schools, es(ecially the
rights gi)en to them by the onstitution. This will ma+e children aware of
their )ery basic rights.
Law students should ha)e com(ulsory training (rogrammes on )arious
laws relating to social issues so that they can contribute this +nowledge in
im(arting legal literacy.
Noon/7o)ernmental !rganisations should be gi)en funds from the
go)ernment for the (ur(ose of conducting legal literacy cam(s and
wor+sho(s.
The (rint media as well as the media should be in)ol)ed more in the
s(reading of legal literacy and awareness because these are the two
mediums that reach out to most of the (eo(le, irres(ecti)e of the areas they
li)e in.
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CHAPTER I7
CONCLUSION
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CONCLUSION
t is said that gnorance of law is no e6cuse. No (erson can run away law.
Today, e)en though our 2udicial system has made great ad)ances, the (light of
many (eo(le of the wea+er sections of the society is )ery sad because they are not
aware of the basic rights that the )arious legislations enacted by the =arliament
ha)e for them. The onstitution guarantees free legal aid but this (ro)ision does
not hold well till the time the beneficiaries of the (ro)ision become aware of their
(articular right.
=o)erty and illiteracy are two ma2or hurdles in the (ath of de)elo(ment of our
country. These are also causing hindrances in the com(lete success of )arious
legislations that ha)e been enacted es(ecially for the u(liftment of the (oor and
the down trodden. E)er since the (assing of the National Legal Literacy :ission
much de)elo(ment has ta+en (lace. :any go)ernmental organi"ations and non/
go)ernmental organi"ations are in)ol)ed in creating legal awareness among the
general masses. Jut still a lot has to be done in this field. There are many issues
such as social e)ils such as dowry, female infanticide, child marriage, domestic
)iolence, etc. that still (ersist on a large scale in the society e)en after ha)ing a
number of legislations on the same. The main reason for the half success of these
legislations is the lac+ of legal awareness among (eo(le, es(ecially the (eo(le of
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the lower strata of the society. Thus, legal literacy has a big role to (lay in the
de)elo(ment of the society.
!nce the (eo(le become aware of their rights and the )arious (ro)isions of law
made for their betterment, the occurrence of these social e)ils would come down.
Legal Literacy does not in)ol)e lawyers only and is not confined to legal ser)ices
alone, such as conciliation, negotiation and arbitration. nstead, it integrates legal
wor+ with other efforts that enhance ca(acities of marginali"ed (o(ulation and
hence the termlegal em(owerment. Legal awareness would certainly get along
with it em(owerment. Thus, s(reading of legal awareness among the (ublic
should be a constant endea)our of the go)ernment so that it e6(eriences full
success in its go)ernance.