This publication is part of the Alternative Law Groups’ Stories from the field: Overcoming access to justice barriers through grassroots communities’ participation and collective action project.
Access to justice is a fundamental right that underpins the rule of law and democratic governance. Yet, for many identities and grassroots communities, the path to justice is fraught with obstacles. “Pathways to Justice: Overcoming Barriers to Access to Justice through Grassroots Action” sheds light on this pressing issue by exploring the vital role of legal empowerment practice and grassroots movements in dismantling the barriers that obstruct equitable justice and the rule of law.
This action research is a testament to the Alternative Law Groups’ (ALG) work and how it has remained steadfast in upholding access to justice, learning with grassroots communities, and inspiring change for more than three decades. It is rooted in the principles of developmental law/alternative lawyering which centers on ALG’s dual work of empowering the poor and the marginalized, and effecting justice system reforms. By emphasizing the voices and experiences of those directly affected, this research illustrates the profound difference that grassroots initiatives can make in bridging the access to justice gap.
