Crimes against women in Goa have seen a disturbing rise this year. Between January 1 and November 25, seven women were murdered in the state, while 47 cases of rape and 52 cases of molestation were registered, highlighting an alarming threat to women’s safety.
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Goa Women’s Forum (GWF) presented a detailed 10-point action plan to South Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunita Sawant.
Shocking Incidents Highlight Security Concerns
The recent murder of Ubaldina Braganza, a 55-year-old woman, has sent shockwaves through Goa. Braganza, who was attacked in broad daylight in Paroda-Quepem, was killed in what appears to be a robbery. The victim, who worked in the UK and had returned to Goa to renovate her house, was reportedly targeted because the suspect believed she had substantial savings.
Earlier this year, another brutal incident took place on April 21 in Kharewade-Vasco. Gayatri Marathe, an 83-year-old woman living alone, was murdered in her home. The suspect in this case was apprehended after a prolonged police investigation.
Domestic disputes and personal mistrust have also been significant contributors to the rise in murders.
For instance, on January 9, Mario Oliveira allegedly killed his aunt, 53-year-old Florentina Fernandes, during a domestic quarrel in Nesai.
A few days later, on January 19, Gaurav Katiyar, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, reportedly drowned his wife, 27-year-old Diksha Gangwar, at ‘Kaab the Ram’.
On May 24, 42-year-old Vaishali Kesarkar from Vasco was murdered by her husband, who suspected her of infidelity.
Attempted Murders Add to Worries
The rise in violent crimes isn’t limited to murders alone. Attempted murders have also painted a grim picture.
In one case in Usgaon, a young woman was attacked with a broken beer bottle by her boyfriend after she rejected his advances. In another shocking incident in Sattari, a five-year-old girl narrowly survived an attack where a suspect attempted to kill her by striking her with a stone.
For the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Goa Women’s Forum (GWF) presented a detailed 10-point action plan to South Goa Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunita Sawant.
The plan addresses the growing issue of violence against women and children in the district and proposes a mix of law enforcement improvements and community-driven initiatives.
Enhanced Women’s Police Station:
Relocate the Women’s Police Station to a dedicated, separate premises for better accessibility.
Provide additional staffing to ensure prompt and effective responses.
Increased Police Visibility:
Install special signboards to improve the visibility of women police personnel.
Strengthen their presence in the community through regular interactions.
Community Engagement:
Organise taluka-level interactions between women police officers and various groups, including students, housewives, and senior citizens.
Train senior citizen volunteers under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
Empowering Education Sector:
Equip women teachers with skills to identify, prevent, and report crimes against women and girls.
Launch awareness programmes in higher secondary schools and colleges to educate girl students about gender-related crime prevention and reporting mechanisms.
Combating Online Exploitation:
Address the rising issue of escort services and call girl websites through joint awareness drives with local authorities, including deputy collectors.
Focus on preventing trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
Transparency in Justice:
Develop a dedicated website or portal to track the progress of court cases related to crimes against women and girls.
Involve civil society volunteers to ensure accountability and public trust.
Migrant Worker Monitoring:
Create awareness about police verification procedures for migrant construction workers, tenants, and domestic help.
Activists and citizens are urging the government to strengthen safety initiatives and ensure justice for victims.
Community and police collaboration is seen as essential to preventing further crimes.
Women’s safety remains a pressing issue in Goa, with rising violence posing a serious challenge for law enforcement and society at large.