LONDON
In a major boost towards women empowerment, an all-women team has recently been elected at the helm of affairs at the Colva Union UK for the first time in the history of the association and perhaps among other Goan associations in the UK.
Elaine Fernandes was elected president, while Espy Rodrigues and Tanya Rodrigues were elected as secretary and treasurer respectively.
What makes their election significant is that all three women are hospitality professionals balancing work and family life on a daily basis.
“Despite facing challenges at work and personal lives, we will, however, ensure that everything at the Colva Union UK runs smoothly. We believe in supporting and empowering women. So far, I have not come across any women committee of a Goan association in the UK and so, I am assuming we are the first all-women committee,” said Elaine Fernandes, who traces her roots to Borda-Margao.
BALANCING RESPONSIBILITIES
All three committee members were confident that they would manage the responsibility to lead Colva Union UK, even though all of them are professionals balancing work and family life.
“As some days can be very challenging at work and could take away a part of your energy and time, I like to prioritise my action plans as per deadlines and get to completing the work,” explained Elaine.
“Time management is always the key to success, especially when you have to balance your work and family life. I have created a detailed action plan for the dine and dance along with the committee and we have scheduled a deadline so that everything runs smoothly.”
“As we are all working from Mondays to Fridays, we get together on weekends or group call to monitor progress on our ‘To Do’ list and take action on anything pending.”
Tanya Rodrigues, who hails from Vasco, feels the same as she struggles to find time on a day to day basis with work and family.
“However, I follow the same rule of prioritising the actions plans as per the deadlines,” said Tanya.
Espy Rodrigues, who hails from Colva, said during the week, she prioritises her ‘To Do’ list so that everything is completed as per schedule.
INSPIRING OTHER WOMEN
The elevation of three women to head the Colva Union UK is expected to inspire and motivate women to take up leadership roles in other Goan associations.
“Leading by example can have a great influence on another woman’s personal empowerment. We have our tough days of hustle but to continue without stopping and achieving the goals that we have set for ourselves would hopefully motivate and inspire women in all other Goan associations,” said Elaine.
“We feel good and empowered and I think we have formed our own small mini-friend circle.
We have been really enjoying this new challenge given to us and will ensure that the dine and dance will be a great success.”
“As Martina Navratilova said “I think the key is for women not to set any limits.” And so we shall not have any.”
COLVA UNION UK
The Colva Union UK has been involved in a number of events and programmes, both in the UK and in Goa.
Besides being involved with various old age homes and orphanages, the Colva Union UK in the past has donated to various organisations in Goa and has also supported the Colva Parish.
“This time, the committee would like to be a ‘Change Maker’, to do something different. We plan to support the El Shaddai and ISO certiï¬ed NGO in Goa, with several projects in the areas of education, child protection, women empowerment and advocacy for the rights of children, especially the marginalised and those from the streets and orphans in Goa,” said Elaine.
