A delegation of Goa Women’s Forum submits a memorandum to South Goa district police chief on crimes against women.
MARGAO
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, commemorated on November 25, the Goa Women’s Forum expressed its deep concern over the increased cases of violence against women and children in South Goa District and the flourishing of escort services and call-girl websites.
A delegation of the Forum on Monday handed over a memorandum addressed to the district police Chief, South, with a plea to create awareness to prevent the spread of prostitution, trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, and escort services and call-girl websites by holding programmes in collaboration with the Deputy Collectors of the respective Sub-Divisions.
The women’s delegation stressed the urgent need for an action plan to curb these issues through strong enforcement and public awareness.
Amongst the host of suggestions made by the NGO was the strengthening of the Women's Police Station, currently housed at the South Goa Police Headquarters, by providing separate premises and additional staff.
The Forum has called for publicity on the availability of the LPSI and women constables in various Police Stations in the South Goa District by displaying special signboards stating their availability. A suggestion has been made to organise taluka-level Women Police Interactions so that personnel can meet with girl students, housewives, and senior women citizens to present their grievances as a confidence-building exercise.
“Train the Women Senior Citizen Volunteers as part of the requirement of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007 & Goa Rules 2009. Train Women Teachers on how to prevent and report crime against women and girls by conducting awareness sessions on the new laws, offences, and the penalties,” the memorandum added.
Calling for training women to be effective Panchayat witnesses in cases registered on crimes committed against women and girls, the Forum further suggested conducting awareness programmes for girl students of higher secondary schools and colleges on the prevention and reporting of gender-related crimes.
Forum Secretary Lorna Fernandes underscored the need to create awareness on the importance of police verification of migrant construction labourers, tenants, and domestic maids, and the procedure to be followed. “Establish a website/portal giving updates on the progress of court cases related to crimes against women and girls by taking help from civil society volunteers,” she added.
