PANJIM: The Nari-shakti initiative of the government seems to fall far short of the doorstep of two One Stop Centres (OSCs) supposedly supported by the government to give shelter and look after women, in any need or distress.
The Women and Child Development department’s OSCs are intended to support women affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace. There’s one in each district of Goa.
But these centres run with funds directly provided by the Women and Child Department of the Goa government. But pending payments of Rs 62 lakhs, to the Sakhi One Stop Center have not been paid for two and a half years. Yes, you read that right. It is learnt that dues are pending to the North Goa Centre too.
NGOs have asked whether only protests are going to instil the seriousness of providing grants to the managing organisation.
These centres help aggrieved women facing any kind of violence due to attempted sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, honour-related crimes, acid attacks or witch-hunting who have reached out or been referred to the OSCs.
Women facing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuse, irrespective of age, class, caste, education status, marital status, race and culture are supported.
The North Goa OSC is managed by Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) and the South Goa OSC is managed by Bailancho Ekvott. The North Goa OSC has a legacy of over eight years and the South Goa OSC was established nearly four-and-a-half-years ago.
The Convenor of Bailancho Ekvott Auda Viegas said, “We understand that we need to fight for the rights and protection of women in Goa. But, it is impossible to do it without funds”.
“The officials should come and see how we are running the OSC, how many cases of domestic violence and violation of women and children’s rights happen daily,” she added.
Viegas also informed me that she has sent all the certificates of utilisation and other documents. “Will the authority listen to us only if we protest?” she asked.
Viegas has once again requested the Department to release the funds to the OSC operations to ensure smooth functioning. “Funds have to be released soon and if we have to fight for funds then when are we supposed to do the work of Women and Child Protection” she asked.
“The Code of Conduct will be enforced soon and the centre will be left handicapped if not released now,” she concluded.
What do these One Stop Centres do?
Help aggrieved women facing any kind of violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, honour-related crimes, acid attacks or witch-hunting who reach out or have been referred to the OSC
