PANAJI
Ahead of 2027 polls, a broad coalition of women’s organisations, activists, academics and professionals has urged the State government to push for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Goa Legislative Assembly without waiting for the next census, delimitation or expansion of seats.
The Coalition for Women’s Reservation with Inclusion and Federalism has called upon the government to adopt a resolution during the three-day Assembly session beginning August 31, seeking a Constitutional Amendment to enable implementation of the quota within Goa’s existing 40-member House.
Speaking at a press conference at Azad Maidan, activist Auda Viegas said women continue to face significant barriers in entering electoral politics, including inadequate financial resources and personal attacks during campaigns.
The coalition has also demanded financial and institutional support for women candidates, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalised communities.
Angela D’Souza said the reservation framework must ensure representation of women from diverse social and economic backgrounds. The coalition has sought a 33 per cent sub-reservation within the OBC quota for OBC fisherwomen, including women from Kharvi and boat-owning fishing communities.
It has also demanded representation for single women, women with disabilities and women from different religious and social communities.
Advocate Caroline Colaco said the coalition had met most MLAs and circulated a draft resolution seeking to delink women’s reservation from census and delimitation exercises.
The coalition maintained that Goa should not be required to wait for the Assembly to expand from 40 to 60 seats before providing women political representation.
