Team Herald
PANJIM: The one-stop centre for women in distress will soon get a major boost as the State government has located spacious premises to set up a full-fledged permanent centre at Bambolim.
The Central-funded scheme that aims to provide assistance, legal advice and psychological counselling to women victims of violence or abuse is temporarily operating from the Goa Medical College complex.
Directorate of Women & Child Development deputy director Fransquinha Oliveira said that 500 sq metres of land belonging to GMC has been allotted for the purpose.
“The centre will shift to the newly allotted property once the infrastructure is ready. We currently operate from the premises of the new Forensics block of the GMC,” she said speaking at a panel discussion on Safety of Women and Girls in Goa.
As per the scheme titled ‘Sakhi’ under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, the centre should be set up in an area measuring 132 sq mtrs in a hospital or any medical facility. If it operates from a semi-government or private structure then it should be within the radius of two kms from a government-run hospital.
“The government resolves to end discrimination and injustice against women,” Oliveira stated, adding that the centre is bound to submit monthly reports to the ministry.
Another official expressed the urgent need for an independent protection officer and shelter homes for the victims in every taluka. The discussion concluded that while rights of women need to be protected, there are still cases which are not reported owing to several reasons like social stigma. “Women should come out against the injustice,” Angelica D’Souza said.
