SNEH’s Restorative Justice (RJ) initiative in Salia Sahi, Bhubaneswar, promotes community-led conflict resolution, women’s leadership and social cohesion. Responding particularly to domestic and family disputes, the programme provides an accessible and sensitive alternative for addressing conflicts before they escalate into violence, family breakdown or further vulnerability.
A significant achievement has been the emergence of women as community peacemakers. Around 50 women from different habitations have been organised as RJ facilitators, with a six-member executive body providing leadership. Residents increasingly approach Peace Committee members for resolving disputes, while engagement with police, lawyers, civil society, Sahi Committees and Self-Help Groups has strengthened community confidence in restorative approaches.
Interventions include RJ training, legal literacy, counselling, conflict and gender-sensitisation workshops, Training of Trainers, street plays, networking and community awareness programmes. On 8 March 2026, SNEH further institutionalised this approach by establishing a Family Counselling Centre/community-based RJ Desk, inaugurated by the Mayor of Bhubaneswar, to provide free counselling to people affected by domestic conflicts.
The initiative contributes particularly to SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, SDG 5 – Gender Equality, and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, while strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships under SDG 17. Through women-led justice mechanisms, SNEH is building safer, more inclusive and peaceful communities.