8th March, 2006. PRESS RELEASE
International Women's Day was heralded by Bailancho Saad at Azad Maidan to the beating of drums by women from different communities in expression of protest against the communal violence, and in expression of solidarity with the Muslim women who have been victims of the violence at Sanvordem. To the rhythm of drummers Ms. Shabana, Ms. Savia, Ms. Ulka, Ms. Angel and Ms. Sonia, women marched into Azad Maidan making a fervent call to retain the hard won spaces where women can walk freely without any fear. The programme highlighted the various concerns and struggles waged over the last one year and the burning issues of today through a vivid ensemble of various cultural forms. The issues of domestic violence and alcoholism resonated through in many cultural presentations by women from different parts of Goa. Saad Alashiro expressed concern over the rising HIV infection among women and the discrimination faced by women in the family in that context. It outlined out the various measures for support to the HIV victim through a skit. Jan Ugahi focussed on exploitation and oppression of migrant women as domestic labour and trafficking of women. Issues of sexual harassment and rising inflation were presented through a fugdi by the women of Siolim. A skit by Bailancho Saad drew attention to the proposed withdrawal of labour rights of women in the IT Policy through relaxation of provisions relating to maternity leave and minimum wages.The need for access to information so that women can have an informed say before special economic zones or any economic policies are thrust on Goa was also highlighted. Dances by the tribal Cunbi women groups from Paroda and Tilamol in Quepem highlighted the hard work done by women in the mining sector, in agriculture, and the raw deal that the women received at work and at home. Rivonche Ostori Vani presented a mando and dulpods on the theme of women's unity at all times and trying situations. A poem written by Madhuri Rao which drew linkages between gender discrimination and casteism and racism was recited by Ms. Pratibha Bapat. So also a poem on a dream village was recited by Ms. Vrunda Prabhu. Mr. Daniel Alphonse sang an ode to women. A tribute was paid by Ms. Pratibha Bapat to late Jyotsna Kamal, a founder member of Bailancho Saad who passed away two months ago. Ms. Angela D'Souza reported about the work and stands of Bailancho Saad and significant achievements made in the last one year. The passage of the Protection from Domestic Violence Bill providing much needed reliefs was hailed and the decision to ensure dissemination of information about the law and the tasks that lie ahead to see to its implementation in the near future, conveyed, Ms. D'Souza stated that Bailancho Saad had to battle against derogatory ads and imposition of dress codes of women. The issues of lack of access to health care in certain remote areas, the need for consultative processes in the formulation of family laws, the struggle to improve conditions in the homes for women like the State Protective Home, the Provedoria Home for Aged and destitute women and the need for caring homes for mentally challenged women. The launch of a sustained campaign for a conducive work environment was also announced. Ms. D'Souza also stressed that the organization is presently seized with the issues of land rights and communalism that have been thrown up through the Saleli uprising and the Sanvordem incident. Ms. Sabina Martins shared accounts coming in to Bailancho Saad of how in Curchorem-Sanvordem, local Muslim women were attacked by local people known to them at the instigation of communal forces. Ms. Martins pointed out these very forces had sown the communal virus and sparked off the riots through rumour-mongering and spread of falsehoods. Ms. Martins emphasized that the communalism was sought to be camouflaged by projecting it as an outsider-insider issue. Ms. Martins whle expressing outrage, reminded that communalism puts all women at risk and pushes them indoors. Ms. Martins then read out the joint statement of women's organizations, condemning the attack on the Muslim community, appealing for peace and expressing solidarity with the affected people and seeking action against the perpetrators of the terror. Ms. Dipti Arolkar who compered the programme stated that the struggle must go on and that persistent united moves were sure recipes for peace, justice, freedom and equality. For Bailancho Saad
