Panaji: Questioning the government’s apathy towards rising cases of crime against women in the state, President of Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress (GPMC) Dr. Pratisksha Khalap has demanded allocation of funds for women’ safety.
Addressing a press conference on Friday along with the party’s executive member Adv Lavinia Da Costa and GPMC General Secretary Liberata Madeira, Khalap also sought details of how many rape victims were assisted by the One Stop Centres.
“In 2024, 365 cases of crime against women were reported, which means an average of one case a day. In 2023, there were 288 cases. Apart from these, some cases are withdrawn, and many are not reported due to shame and trauma the victims face. There are cases of rape, domestic violence, abuse, molestation, etc. Of these, 106 are rape cases. What is the provision of safety for such women made by the state government?” she questioned.
Khalap also said that in 2015, One Stop Centres were launched in both districts to help and support women affected by violence and in distress.
“These centres were supposed to give counselling as well as legal and medical aid in cases especially of rape. Now such victims are made to go to the district hospitals. They undergo mental and physical trauma, and are psychological disturbed. If there is a rape case in a village, the rural, primary or urban health centre must be equipped to handle such cases and the personnel should be trained. There is no collaboration between the police and medical team and NGOs, etc. Victims should get the one stop centre facility so that they can go to these places at any time of the day or night and not be harassed by police,” she said.
The Goa Mahila Congress president also criticised Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for not making any provision for compensation of victims in the Budget.
“Women are being used for votes. No chairperson has been appointed for the child rights commission since the last 10 months. The Women and Child Development Department gets 60% funds from the Centre and the balance is borne by the state government. But they have not made any provision on how many victims have got compensation,” she said.
“The Home Ministry has completely failed, and law and order has collapsed. I appeal to the CM, who is the Home Minister, to allocate some funds for women’s safety, install camera surveillance everywhere and ensure proper street lighting in secluded areas. If the home minister cannot work for the safety of women, then he should resign. We plan to organise a Nari Nyay Andolan on April 3. We will raise the issues of our rights, women’s safety,” she added.
Da Costa, who specialises in domestic violence cases, said that such cases are rising.
“I have seen that mostly educated women coming from good family backgrounds are the victims in such cases, which is shocking. Some of them are facing abuse in offices and live in fear. When will our women get independence? I have also seen that Pink Force personnel have in the past attacked women. Pink Force is made for women protection, not harassment. This will not be tolerated,” she said.
Da Costa also said, “The government should hold a review and provide details on how many cases have been reported at the One Stop Centres and how many victims have been supported and compensated.”
