WE (Why Exclude), an organisation dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of widows across communities, has expressed strong disappointment after claiming that the State government had backtracked on its promise to enact a law banning widowhood discrimination and unjust customs.
WE has called upon the government to reconsider its stand, uphold its original promise, and bring in the much-needed legislation to ban widowhood discrimination in Goa.
In a press note, WE stated that several Gram Sabhas across Goa had passed resolutions to stop widowhood practices reflecting the strong sentiments of people against these regressive customs.
WE stated that in March 2023, while replying to a private member resolution by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, the State Government had publicly assured, on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly, that a law to end discriminatory widowhood practices would be brought in.
“This reformative step was widely lauded as a landmark move towards gender justice, cutting across barriers of religion, caste, creed, and social status. The government had even informed the Assembly in 2024 and early 2025 that a draft policy was being prepared in line with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) advisory and that it would be converted into law “as early as possible”,” stated WE.
“However, in the recently concluded monsoon session, in response to a starred question in the Assembly, the Government stated there is “no need” for a separate law, claiming that existing mechanisms such as women’s helplines and One Stop Centres (incidentally, these have been recently taken over by the govt and are yet to commence operation in full fledged mode) are sufficient to handle cases.”
WE claimed this statement “marks a complete reversal from its earlier commitment and undermines the urgency of addressing deep-rooted and harmful customs that widows in Goa continue to face.”
“This is not just a broken promise — it is a betrayal of the trust placed by the people of Goa in the system. The government’s backtracking ignores the lived realities of widows who endure social isolation, humiliation, and abuse. Existing mechanisms are not a substitute for a clear, enforceable legal prohibition.”
WE stated that the NHRC has explicitly advised states to safeguard the rights of widows and to frame appropriate laws to end discriminatory practices through an advisory in June 2024.
“A dedicated law would have sent a strong message that Goa stands firmly against regressive customs, and would have provided a robust framework for prevention, protection, and redress,” stated WE.
“Instead, this U-turn has left us disheartened, reinforcing the perception that the system does not value its own word. We are not merely saddened — we are deeply disappointed. This is a missed opportunity to make history in protecting women’s rights,” the statement added.
The WE statement has been signed by Prakash Kamat, Sangeeta Naik, Naman Sawant, Ratnamala Divka, Pankti Jog and Sarika Naik.
