Crimes against women in Goa are on the rise and the government has failed miserably to take sufficient action to stop or curb these crimes. The civil society has asked the government on several occasions to bring in measures to stop and prevent these crimes. Yet the government has failed to implement a radical and effective strategy to prevent these cases.
The current government had focused a large part of its campaign strategy against prevention of crimes against women. However there is no specialized program for preventing the increasing crimes even as the public policy at all levels of government, from law enforcement to the health sector, should be focused on restoring the social fabric.
There is an urgent need for women’s shelters to protect victims of violence: where women can take shelter with their children and receive counseling, food, and rest. It is imperative that these exist as forms of aid and prevention. This is a task that calls for the involvement and action of all levels of government. Women’s shelters and women police stations must be set up to help women and children, and people must be trained to properly care for victims of gendered violence.
The rising incidents in Goa are assuming the proportion of a social disaster, yet little has been done to adequately stop the violence that plagues women. The government can score a victory by focusing energy, wisdom, and creativity on solving and preventing these crimes. Law enforcement has proven slow and inefficient. Legislation may have good intentions but without a powerful operating arm is useless.
Perpetrators have been sheltered by an atmosphere of impunity. The sexist barbs by politicians have added to the malice. It is urgent that the Goa State Women Commission take the issue of violence against women into its hands, as the safety of women is a priority of basic human rights. Those who do not consider it so indirectly endorse impunity.
The commission as of today is lethargic. The state is slowly becoming a hub for rapes and sexual assaults – it’s high time the commission wakes up from its deep slumber.
The need of the hour is sensitivity of the commission which is a state agency mandated to protect women’s rights. It should intervene every time politicians make gender-insensitive statements and character assault of women. Strict actions should be taken against statements made in the public sphere. The demand respect and dignity of all women. It should take immediate actions against relevant police personnel on dereliction of duty, demand for Fast Track Courts on cases of sexual assault for immediate redressal and effective justice delivery to be ensured. The commission needs to campaign against sexual harassment and take suo-motu cognizance of the incidents of crimes and atrocities against women in the State.
