MARGAO
Bailancho Ekvott has warned that the tolerance displayed by Goans over the years is leading to crimes against women and children, while calling upon the people of Goa to be vigilant in the wake of the rape of a 20-year-old woman at the
Betalbatim beach.
Addressing the media, Bailancho Ekvott convenor and women’s rights activist Auda Viegas said, “Our culture accepts our ways of dressing. So, if our way of dressing or something else is seen differently, it is not our fault and we should not be forced to change our lifestyle. These people (rapists) force their women to fully cover their bodies, but stare at our women when they are in Goa. On our beaches, they move around in underwear. So far, they have got away with it, but now we realize that this is a chain reaction. Our
tolerance is leading to crimes against women and children. This has to end,” Auda
demanded.
She also directed her ire at the government for not coming up with a proper tourism policy. “Tourism department has been sending persons abroad to promote Goa Tourism. But these persons are not able to do much in reality as they are sent on holidays. These foreign trips are incentives given by subsequent governments for their loyalty. We are heavily taxed by the tourism department in every possible way. However, these taxes are not used to improve the infrastructure like safety and protection of the tax payer. In neighbouring Colva itself, the ice-cream vendors who occupy the major parking space are doubling as pimps marketing children and women,” she allegedl, while reiterating her request to the lawyers not to represent or defend the three rapists.
