Assocham Goa, in association with Goa State RuralLivelihood Mission, organised ‘We Rise – Empowering women to greater heights’,a March month programme for knowledge sharing, upliftment, and celebration ofwomen’s success stories. The motivating speakers enlightened the womenparticipants about the crucial aspects of their lives, their rights, mentalwellness, and safety.
Ranjita Pai, the chairperson of the Women’sCommission, highlighted the incredible work being done to support women indistress and ensure that no woman feels alone in her struggles. She also spokeabout how the commission had innumerable hearings to resolve cases ranging fromproperty disputes to domestic violence to sexual abuse. She highlighted thecommission's work in conducting awareness programs, promoting advocacy,providing legal aid and counselling, and safeguarding the rights and welfare ofthe women in Goa.
The Superintendent of Police, GPS Sunita Sawant,shared an inspiring address on beginning her journey as one of the handful ofwomen police officers on duty, having completed 34 years in the force. Alwaysknown for her honesty and integrity, the President’s Medal awardee spoke onwomen's safety in public places. Women’s safety is not just a personal issuebut a societal responsibility. She spoke about how it is also important todress and conduct ourselves responsibly in public. As we step out into theworld, we must demand safer spaces and work collectively to create them.
Legal awareness is essential to women'sempowerment, championed Adv Priyanka Kamat Shetiye, as it enables women toprotect their rights and seek justice. She enlightened the audience on the keyconstitutional provisions for Women’s Rights:
n Article 14 – Right to Equality– ensures equal treatment for women under the law
n Article 15 – Prohibition ofDiscrimination – women cannot be discriminated against based on sex
n Article 21 – Right to Life andPersonal Liberty – every woman has a right to live with dignity and safety
n Article 42- Just and HumaneConditions of Work – protects women’s rights in the workplace
Adv Priyanka also threw light on laws protectingwomen in the workplace, like the Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace(Prevention. Prohibition, and Redressal) Act 2013, which ensures a mechanismfor women to report sexual harassment cases and mandates the formation ofInternal Complaints Committee (ICC) in workplaces. Other enabling laws includethe Equal Remuneration Act of 1976, mandating equal pay for equal work for bothmen and women; the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961, providing paid maternityleave and ensuring job protection during maternity; and the Factories Act of1948 – ensuring safe working conditions for women including restrictions onnight shifts and hazardous jobs.
Adv Priyanka also touched upon other laws likethe Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence2005, Right to Education 2009 – ensuring free and compulsory education forgirls until the age of 14 and the Hindu Succession Act of 1956 – granting womenequal inheritance rights to ancestral property. She concluded with the legalremedies available to women, including the filing of an FIR – First InformationReport in case of any crime, National Women's Helpline (1091), Goa Children'sAct, 2003 (protecting young girls from sexual exploitation and trafficking),Goa Domestic Violence (protection of women) Act 2005 and Goa state commissionfor women.
The session on mental wellness by Anju RajputDesai outlined that women carry multiple responsibilities – a home, at work,and in society. But amidst it all, they often forget to prioritise their mentalhealth. A healthy mind enables us to be stronger, more resilient, and morecapable of facing life’s challenges. She detailed that mental health concernsaffect a person’s ability to think, understand, feel and act. What and who canhelp will include psychologists, psychotherapy, psychiatrists and medication.Amongst remedies, she suggested exercising regularly, having a timely routinefor sleep, eating, and other activities, choosing to do your favourite work,not consuming harmful addictive substances and reaching out for help whenneeded.
On a closing note, Deepali Naik, Director DRDASouth, along with me, in the capacity of Assocham Goa Women Empowerment Chair,reminded the audience that empowerment is an ongoing journey. It starts withawareness but must be followed by action. We urged the participants to continueto rise, inspire, and create a world where every woman can stand tall,fearless, and free. Because when women rise, communities rise, familiesprosper, and the world becomes a better place.
(The writer is Laghu Udyog Bharati, Goa StatePresident, Assocham Empowerment Chair, and member of the GCCI ManagingCommittee)
