Recently, a slew of incidents concerning assaults against women in public spaces has caused widespread anger across the country and the #IWillGoOut movement emerged from protests around these incidents in the form of national collective of women determined to take back the country's streets from the reign of fear and misogyny.
On Saturday, January 21, on the sidewalks of Saligao's main road, the #IWillGoOut Goa Chapter held a meeting to show their solidarity with the women of Bengaluru and India who are all marching against street harassment. 56 people including women from all quarters joined this meet and shared their observations and experiences regarding women’s safety in different Goan communities.
They chanted slogans and handed out flyers to passers-by on how they too can take action to prevent street harassment and assault. The meeting drew attention with people in cars and bikes stopping to ask what was going on. Aimed at capturing the public eye and starting a conversation on women's issues in Goa, the event was open to everyone who believes that we all have the right to safe public spaces and that violence against women is unacceptable. The gathering included a discussion on women’s access to public spaces in Goa.This meetup included Goan women’s rights groups like SafeGoa and Bailancho Saad.
With #IndiaWithDaughters trending, the safety of women in Goa in public spaces stirred a debate with many raising concerns about the situation in Goa having personally witnessed or been the victim of incidents. Whereas there were several others who felt Goa was comparatively far safer compared to other states and shared their own experiences in public spaces to support this argument.
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The reality is that things happen even in the very homes that girls are supposed to be considered safe, as daughters, sisters and wives. It does not get spoken about because of the social stigma involved but the trauma lasts a lifetime. Men need to focus on the fact that often they are the problem, their view has to undergo a radical change, so as to sensitise the society and equalise the social norms. Whether this happens or not, women need to learn to walk tall and free figuratively.
Maureen Alvares, educator
I think Goa is one of the safest places to be as a woman. I've never had any negative experiences in Goa. In fact I've never heard one from any of my friends or acquaintances. But that in large part is due to the culture we have here as opposed to the culture in the rest of the country. Men are more respectful and open minded here. That plays a large role in why I feel safe.
Richa Gaad, student
I do believe there has been a surge in feelings of insecurity among women in Goa. This is not as notorious as the other cities in India where women are openly harassed and violated, rather it is a lurking issue on the verge of intensifying. The signs include unwarranted glances, eve- teasing and off-hand comments made by both “ men and women alike “ on what women wear and how they behave. I am glad women have taken the issue of their safety into their own hands and these conversations are taking place. I hope they continue even after #IndiaWithDaughters abates.
Tanya Fernandes, business consultant
Every day I come across the news showing the cases of rapes and sexual harassment. Most of such cases are from northern states. As compared to other states Goa is more safe place for the women because of the simplicity of the culture and the special child and women helplines that work 24*7 to sort the issues. It all depends on men's mentality to respect women and stay away from causing any harm on them. I don't agree that with the mentality that wearing fashionable or revealing clothes leads to rape. Women should not be blamed for rape or sexual harassment but it is the human mentality that needs to to be blamed.
Sulaksha Galyekar, software engineer
I feel safer in Goa than I do in most other places in the world. And not just because Goa is home. I think it's not so much the place, as it is the mentality of the people that matters. Not all Goans are open minded. Not all people from the rest of India are narrow-minded. It's a matter of how someone is taught to perceive women - no matter where they're from.
Anisha Sawant, IT engineer
Goa is definitely not considered as safe as it used to be. Look around and we have incidents springing up every day that make us realise how unsafe it is to venture out all alone, and any point in the course of the day. We've had the Scarlett Keeling case in the past or most recently the Monika Ghurde case, where we've seen the brutality of the men at 'play'. Innocent victims of frail mind, women are definitely not safe anywhere, and we Goan women are no better when it comes to our safety and wellbeing. Education, stringent police action and a just and speedy judicial procedure is the need of the hour if the situation needs to be improved at any point.
Natasha Parekh, entrepreneur
Goa is definitely not safe for a woman. It may be safer than Bangalore or Delhi but it still has a way to go. Incidents from my school and college life come to mind when this topic is brought up. Men groping girls, displaying their genitals and a young girl calling out for help is something that almost every girl goes through. Of late I have started traveling the world and I’ve just realized how unsafe India as a whole is. The whole mentality of our community needs to change. Men need to learn that women are not objects up for grabs.
Penny Fernandes Viegas, travel blogger
Sexual harassment and violence continues to be perceived as the survivor's 'fault'. We need to engage and take public action to ensure that everyone knows we're no longer going to take these crimes lightly. The perception of Goa as a safe place is changing rapidly, and this event is to remind everybody, that we need not be afraid. We need to let people know that we're not going to let Goa become unsafe.
Radhika Bijoyini, community media activist
We are just a group of women who decided we have to do something. As citizens, we have the right to be safe on the streets and to access them without fear or stigma. We must continue to speak up, share our stories everyday so more people can understand what it means to live as a woman in India. We will continue to occupy public spaces instead of staying indoors because of fear. Let those who harass/assault be the ones who have to fear the consequences of their action. Society owes us women our right to safe public spaces
Tania Devaiah, #IWillGoOut Goa chapter co-organiser
Goa has witnessed an increase in street harassment incidents, but these are yet to be reflected in official numbers. The lack of numbers means that effective measures cannot be taken by government. In which case there have to be citizen led actions such as this. Studies have shown that the constant presence of women in public spaces reduces harassment. Encouraging women to loiter and stay in public spaces in the night not only make a place safe, it also helps women break stereotypes
Chinmayi SK, founder - SafeGoa Initiative
