International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day acknowledging the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The United Nations has designated the year 2024’s theme as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment, while the campaign theme for this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion.’
Goa is brimming with women who have achieved greatness in different sections of the society. Whether a working woman or a homemaker, every woman is an achiever, making a difference in the world by going out of their way to unite with others and create an identity for themselves.
Ana Maria Apolonia Rebello e D'Cruz (Aplon)
Ana Maria Aplonia Rebello Da Cruz is better known for her stage name, Aplon and comes from a tiatr family. An awardee of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Tiatr Academy of Goa and more recently of the Kala Gaurav Puraskar in 2023-24, Aplon made a mark in the tiatr field with her talent and the sheer determination to outdo her last performance.
“When someone appreciates your work and encourages you, you love to work harder. I give in all my best for my performance and if a greater person amires my work then it is a huge motivation. We have to give our best as this will motivate youngsters especially newcomers to perform with the same enthusiasm. When they see us give a speech or receive an award, they should aim to do the same. An award is an inspiration to work harder as I also feel that this is not the top but just the beginning,” says Aplon.
Katya Coelho
Katya Coelho, India’s first woman sailor is also the first Goan and Indian woman, to make it to the Windsurfing Youth Olympics in 2018. She is also India’s first female iQFoiler. She recently won gold at the National Games in Goa and continues to be an inspiration to young athletes.
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice’ is a quote by Michelle Obama, which really speaks volumes and that is something that’s stuck with me. Let us acknowledge the importance of our mothers, sisters, wives and the sacrifices they make every day for us. Here's to celebrating the incredible power of womanhood. Let's honour the creators of change and champions of resilience. May we persist in breaking barriers, defying expectations, and inspiring meaningful change. Happy Women's Day to all the phenomenal women making their mark,” says Katya.
Ashwetha Desouza
Borda, Margao-based Ashwetha Desouza won the Best Actress Award at the recently held Group B Tiatr Competition held at Kala Academy. She made her debut on the stage in the tiatr, ‘Lok Kitem Muntolo?’ which was presented by students of Second Year of Carmel College, Nuvem, written and directed by Inoshka Moraes, the then Cultural Secretary of Carmel College. She gained confidence on the stage and learned every nuance of a tiatr.
Originally from Azossim-Mandur, Ashwetha is a law graduate and hopes to start practising this year. However, after performing in two tiatr competitions and winning awards, she is enjoying her moment of glory. “Acting is a hobby and winning awards certainly boost me to continue. My brother, Alloy, is a trumpeter and is currently playing in Lawry Travasso’s tiatr and is also a part of Roseferns’ troupe. I love attending tiatrs with my parents as we went to most of my brother’s shows. I loved how quickly the actors would change their costumers and get on stage in a different role. I experienced that thrill when I had to change my costume for this award winning tiatr. I received great reviews from the audience and many young girls came up to me to say that they loved my performances,” says Ashwetha.
Verma D'Mello
Verma D’Mello is a fashion designer and executive director of a volunteer non-profit organization based in California since 2000, Goa Sudharop. She is training not just girls and women especially from the corners of Goa to understand the importance of health, wealth and their rights. She was recently informed that they will receiving the Pride of Bharat award for their contribution to the society, on March 16.
“We go to the pockets of Goa where the women especially of Goa’s indeginous tribes are neglected. We empower them and train them with skills to give them the first push to start something of their own. Many women have been part of pop-ups and have started their own business with their arts. We educate them about their rights and motivate them to achieve higher,” explains Verma.
Preyasee Chari
Margao-based Preyasee Chari is known for her fitness and stamina especially when it comes to running. She recently won the first place at the Manipal Full Marathon in her age category on February 11, 2024. A huge inspiration for young girls and women, Preyasee's commitment to dedicating time for oneself doesn’t go unnoticed.
A marathon runner and yoga instructor, Preyasee divides her day for main activities, walking or running, yoga and gym exercises. "Running is self-motivation for me. No matter how tiring my day has been, I will still wake up the next morning for a run, which again refreshes my entire day. I cannot survive without exercise. I believe that every woman should spend at least an hour on themselves to keep them stress free. A woman has the responsibility of the entire family on her shoulders and she has to be fit and healthy," informs Preyasee, a mother of two sons.
Bina Nayak
The first Goan author whose book was adapted into a big budgeted commercial film, Bina Nayak had every reason to celebrate her writing. An independent graphic designer and communication specialist with over 29 years in the advertising industry, Bina while celebrating her debut book, 'Starfish Pickle' being adapted into the film, 'Starfish' was already working on her second book, 'Goagram', which was recently launched at the Goa Arts and Literary Festival (GALF) in February, 2024.
"It feels really good to see your name on the posters of the film and in the opening credits, bringing your writing to the big screen. I write regardless of awards as I am self motivated. However, having my first book being adapted into a film did open doors for me. It did add up for me as an author but it did not make it easier for the second book. 'Goagram' was almost complete when 'Starfish Pickle' was picked up. The book was released in the second wave of the pandemic but gained recognition much later when the news about the film was out," says Bina. She will be discussing her new book, 'Goagram' on March 22 at Literati Bookshop and Café, Calangute.
Guadalupe Almeida e Dias
Guadalupe Dias finds beauty in everything she sees which she translates into her poems. A writer, poet, translator and lyricist, Guadalupe is an award winning writer and poet with the versatility of writing in Romi and Devnagiri Konkani, Hindi, Marathi and English. Besides winning several awards, Guadalupe goes out of her way to motivate other women to express themselves.
"Being a woman is cause for celebration. I thus embrace poetry as a way to honour womanhood. Anything that I find enjoyable or dismal under the sky inspires me to write poetry. Poetry is the spokesperson of a common man and as a woman, I try to portray women in my poems at different points in their lives. Through my writing, I hope to build a new society in which no girl child is killed in the womb. No bride is to be devoured by the dowry fires. No woman should experience what transpired to Nirbhaya or be made to take off her clothing against her will. On this International Women's Day, I urge all women to put self-love before all else" says Guadalupe, who was awarded the Kalasadhok Award in 2023.