(The writer was a practicing lawyer in Goa and is a social activist in the U.K.)
LONDON
As a woman, I feel empowerment is just not about individual women succeeding, it’s about creating an environment where every woman can rise, succeed and feel that she has a right to equality.
It’s about men and women working together to challenge stereotypes, address inequality and create a world where all people, regardless of their gender, can thrive.
INITIATIVES IN GOA
Women rights is an important aspect that I have addressed when I was a practicing lawyer in Goa. I advocated women rights as a free legal aid speaker appointed by the Canacona Court.
As a speaker at various free court programmes for people, I created awareness by speaking about domestic violence, rape, abuse, female abortion/infanticide, dowry system, rights of an arrested woman, divorce, etc. I remember helping women avail financial assistance through different government schemes.
INITIATIVES IN LONDON
As a Women’s Officer for the Constituency Labour Party for Parliamentary Constituency of Brent West in the UK, I have been involved in advocating women’s rights and working with women in and around Wembley.
I believe in advocating policies that promote gender equality and creating platforms for women to have access to education, healthcare and employment. I am working towards organising a women’s programme for all Labour Party members in the Brent West Constituency Labour Party.
As a social worker in Wembley, my husband, Elvis Fernandes, and I help women write applications for jobs, register them on different job websites, help them to self-refer to Shaw Trust, etc.
We also share posts on our Facebook group ‘Goans for Goa’ which has 13k plus members seeking leads/information about job opportunities. Community members share information with us and we are able to help women and people get jobs. We also use our WhatsApp groups and connections to help people find service providers and jobs.
I believe once a woman is financially independent, she feels empowered and is also able to support her family. I encourage women, including Goans, to seek vocational training or register for free courses at Brent Start near Wembley Central Station, which increases their chances of employment. Many Goan women have registered for these courses.
ISSUES AFFECTING GOAN WOMEN IN LONDON
Many women, including Goan women, face domestic violence at home in the UK. They feel unsafe and some of them face an emotional breakdown. Many women facing domestic abuse are unemployed too. For women in need of mental healthcare, I help them to self-refer themselves to a service known as Brent Talks. This service is for those women who have no assistance or listening ear from their families and extended family. I also encourage women to attend health programmes organised by the Brent Council in association with the Brent Health matters.
Also, many Goan women face communication problems and are unable to seek appointments with the GP or emergency appointments with the NHS. I speak on their behalf in their presence to help them get the right medical help required at that time.
Many Goan women, especially those whose husbands are alcoholics, face a lot of domestic abuse at home and often face mental health problems. This is when they need mental health support.
Another problem confronting many Goan women in Wembley are extra-marital affairs, with many couples either separated or filing for divorce. The implications are worse when the couple has children.
In certain cases, due to domestic violence at home, social services come to the rescue of the children. We try to talk to couples and help resolve their problems. We have helped some couples save broken relationships and stay peacefully with their families.
When women from the community and outside the community are on the verge of homelessness due to domestic violence or other financial circumstances, I help them fill up the homelessness application form with the Brent Council and coordinate with local councillors of the Brent Council. I also help women in financial need to apply for resident support fund from the Brent Council, universal credit by the DWP, child benefit, bereavement schemes etc.
Workplace harassment, racism and unequal pay is also an issue faced by many women in Wembley. Goan women too face indirect or silent racism that sometimes turns into direct discrimination and racism.
Some women are unable to protect their rights at their workplace due to communication barriers. Some of them including Goans are not fluent in English and thus, are unable to express the injustice faced by themselves.
I also help women contact bereavement services in case of a death of a spouse, child, sibling or a loved one, and to avail of any financial assistance they could get on the death of their husband.
THE WAY AHEAD
Enforcement of laws that support women's rights are pivotal to creating a society where women can live free from fear, discrimination and violence.
But despite these achievements, we know there is still much more to be done. Gender bias, violence, inequality, and discrimination persist in many forms. The road to achieving true equality is long, but with every effort, we are breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of women to live in a world where their value is recognised, their voices are heard, and their potential is limitless.
To all women who have been part of this journey whether through advocacy, activism, or leadership, your strength and passion inspire me. And to the men and allies who stand beside in this fight for equality, thank you for your unwavering support.
Together, we will continue to work towards a society where every woman has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, respect, and opportunity.
