Many young women
with dreams and goals are choosing this coastal state as their home away from home. With its laid-back vibe, supportive communities, and relatively safer environment, offering lots of freedom and opportunity, Goa is emerging as an appealing choice for them.
How conducive is Goa for women living alone?
Goa is welcoming, safe, and gives women living alone the freedom to enjoy life on their own terms. Dr Neetu Gupta, a homeopathic physician, said, “I have been living in Goa by myself for two years, and I am quite enjoying it; it's safe compared to many other cities of India I have stayed in.” According to her, people are educated and progressive and are welcoming of outsiders. They encourage women to stay and earn on their own here. “I get a lot of community support from Goa, unlike Bangalore, where I did not experience much community support,” said Jagori Mukherjee, a hostel resident in Mapusa. She further added that this support and community feeling make her feel at home in Goa.
Unique challenges for women staying alone in Goa
There are a few concerns that women seem to raise, like the difficulty when it comes to transportation. Dr Neetu, a PG resident in Mapusa, said, “Having your vehicle is a huge advantage, compared to people who use public transportation in Goa.” Another concern is regarding high deposit money charged by hostels and apartments. “Stays here are not professional or functional enough. Sometimes, the amenities that are promised to you, you don’t end up receiving,” said Jagori, a hostel resident in Mapusa. To add to the dilemmas, there is some amount of gender bias when it comes to a woman staying alone. “Though generally open-minded, some Goan locals may still pass judgment on women in certain situations," said Ketaki Parob, founder of WOW Foundation Goa (NGO) and member of the Goa state commission for women. She further added, “Some people tend to be judgmental when it comes to a woman staying alone or working late nights.”
Top priorities for women
Safety and security are first and foremost priorities for any woman. Having a watchman and security cameras can make a PG or an apartment an ideal one for women looking to move. “Women generally want to know how safe a PG is,” said Edlyn Faria, owner of a working women’s PG in Mapusa. Once safety is ensured, other basic amenities like room facilities, food, laundry facilities, and parking conveniences are taken into consideration. A key detail that is often missed is the importance of having a good environment in the hostel alongside top-notch infrastructure. Ensuring that a woman has a close-knit social circle or positively minded people surrounding her
is also pertinent.
Being independent is the way to go
“It is a man’s world; we are barely surviving in it,” said Aarum, a hostel resident in Mapusa. The future generations of young girls should understand the importance of moving out on your own, figuring things out by yourself. Only then can women create real change and lead the way forward. Amrita Singh, a hostel resident in Panjim, said, “I love staying alone; now it has become a habit. Many significant life lessons are learned when you are alone.” This generation and the coming generations require more and more women to step up and create change. “Every woman being independent, emotionally and financially, is the need of the hour,” said Ketaki.
Goa, with all its quirks and comforts, is giving many women the space to find their voice and build their lives on their own terms. While challenges exist, they are often outweighed by the strength women gain from navigating them. This lush state has a lot to work on to grow more and offer more to these women. More affordable and efficient working women hostels and PGs can help attract more women to lead their dream lives in Goa. “An ideal stay for women will be the one where a woman has her freedom, her space, as well as where there are boundaries set where she feels happy,” concludes Ketaki.