Abstract

Access to justice is a fundamental aspect of any democratic society and serves as a critical mechanism for the protection of individual rights and the promotion of equality. In India, although numerous laws and constitutional provisions aim to safeguard women’s rights, the actual process of seeking justice remains complex and often inaccessible for many women. This paper explores the multifaceted barriers that women face in accessing justice, ranging from social stigma and economic hardship to institutional apathy and legal illiteracy. Through an in-depth examination of the legal framework, key challenges, case studies, and the role of various stakeholders, this research highlights the persistent gap between legal rights on paper and their realization in practice. Special attention is given to intersectional factors such as caste, class, religion, and geography, which further marginalize certain groups of women and exacerbate their struggles within the justice system. The study also evaluates efforts made by the state, judiciary, and civil society to bridge this gap and recommends actionable reforms aimed at making justice more inclusive, accessible, and gender-sensitive. Ultimately, the paper argues that achieving meaningful access to justice for women in India requires more than legal reforms—it demands a broader societal transformation rooted in gender equity and social justice.

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