TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Skewed sex ratios, discrimination against women, condition of anganwadi buildings, high drop out rate of girl students in Canacona, Commissions, and women police stations not having adequate staff, vehicles and other infrastructure, state of counselling centres and legal aid centres were some of the issues discussed at the two-day workshop on CEDAW (Convention on Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women) in the capital.
Another issue that was discussed was that, three villages in North Goa and two villages in South Goa which did not report the birth of any girl and also that statistics showed that areas of high literacy showed more boy preference, implying that literacy does not mean gender awareness.
The objective of the workshop was to assess the factual situation of discrimination of women in Goa and the steps taken by the state which will go into the national alternate report to be presented to the UN CEDAW committee.
Dr Sabina Martins of Bailancho Saad, while outlining the purpose of the workshop pointed out that most issues of discrimination against women in Goa are same, however in some areas the issues are specific to Goa. The group zeroed on the issues of Goa which need to be put in the national alternate report. A working committee has been formed to prepare the alternate report. The workshop was organized by Bailancho Saad and National Alliance for Women (NAWO).
President of NAWO, Dr Ruth Manorama, known dalit and women rights activists from Bangalore gave the background of the United Nations treaty CEDAW which is ratified by 189 countries including India.
Sheba George from Gujarat informed that that the CEDAW is also used to get legal rights for women along with the prevailing laws of the land as India has signed the document.
Anita Haladi , lecturer from DMC college highlighted the skewed sex ratio of girls to boys in the age group of 0 to 6 years which fell to 917 girl to every 1000 boys, while Suvarna Mahmal from Casavarnem, Pernem brought to the fore the improper implementation of ICDS schemes which affects girl children.
“For the last three months the women are running from pillar to post to get the anganwadi building repaired or constructed as it is in a dilapidated condition,” she said.
Afrose Sheikh from Bailancho Saad spoke about the high drop out rate of girls in Canacona. She stated that discrimination is one of the cause. The girl in Canacona school with disability is still out of school as the government has failed to provide education to her, she said.
Deepa Bargi of Jan Ugahi outlined the discrimination faced by migrant children and women in accessing facilities even though they have resided here for many years. Similarly children are made to sit separately in Balwadis, taunts like ghanti, bhaile deprive them of human rights. Sometimes police stations are reluctant to register complaints of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Maria Santa Rita of CRG pointed out the issues of adolescent girls and their risks of sexual abuse and substance abuse. CRG gave case studies of the prevailing problems in relationships, education and work areas and called for effective counseling centres to stop increasing rates of suicides.
Adv Caroline Colasso brought to fore the prevalence of domestic violence in the state and the relief sought under domestic Violence Act. Though the law had good provisions the implementing agencies were inadequate and especially as protection officers under the Act are BDOs who are overburdened
Pushpa Pilarnkar of Bailancho Saad shared her experiences of assisting women how to register complaint.
