> BAILANCHO SAAD-GOA > (A Women’s Collective) > SF-4, Goa Housing Board res cum com Complex, Journalist > Colony, Porvorim, Goa > Tel:2410864 > Email:[email protected] > 9th March 2011 > > Press Release > > Around 400 women predominantly from rural Goa observed International > Women’s Day at Azad Maidan on 8th March organized by Bailancho Saad . A > variety programme , centered round the theme Women Speak -50 years of Goa’s > liberation was held where women expressed . through different cultural form > ‘where were we, where we are and where we want to be.’ > > Freedom fighter Libia Lobo Sardessai stated that whatever they had done to > gain Goa’s liberation and subsequently set up institutions for women like > Women’s Cooperative Bank and Home Science College was in the past. She urged > the women to rise like the sun , shed light by creating awareness and see > around who requires help and give it. > > The prevailing conditions were depicted through skits songs, poetry and > dance. Ankur self help group brought out the enslavement of self help groups > to politicians. Ms Mamta Sawant urged the woen not to be bluffed by gifts and > sponsorship as they enslave women to vote for politicians who eventually > make illegal money when they come to power. > > Ms Pratibha Bapat emphasized the need to move from liberation to > independence, stating that unless women reach the stage of independent > decision making and live without fear ,then only we can say that women are > truly liberated. > > Siolim group highlighted the violence in the home resulting from dowry, > alcoholism, discrimination against the girl child through a skit and a > vibrant fugdi. Ms Sujata Mandrekar informed the gathering of the Stop Women > Beating campaign that was launched in their village by Bailancho Saad and > urged all the participants to do the same in their villages. > > Ms Akshada Bandekar, a school student, spoke for the girl child and the need > to provide her education and protection. The young successful, singing artist > rendered a song on building a new happy world for children. > > Ms Vrunda Prabhu Thali and Ms Cleta Dsousa read a poetry on the roles played > by women whereas Ms Vaisahli Revodkar and group highlighted discrimination of > Dalits through a song. > > Mr Victor Mendes informed the gathering the social problems caused by the > casinos like break down in families, economic destitution, thefts, crimes etc > and urged the public to join the Anti casino movement of Aam Aurat Against > Gambling and get rid of gambling from river Mandovi and hotels. > > Ms Tara Kerkar made a passionate plea to women to stand for elections and > make decisions in favour of women when elected. She stated that some women > still need reservation while some women like her who entered the electoral > process through the reserved category , now get elected through general > category. > > Ms Sabina Martins gave an account of the struggles against sale of alcohol > in government premises, exploitation and oppression of women in casinos, > trafficking and prostitution, derogatory depiction of women and skewed > economic policies which exploit women. > > Ms Martins stated that this year Bailancho Saad did a study on girl dropouts > in rural areas of Canacona . There is no support for first generation > learners and hence Bailancho Saad will demand from the government to provide > teachers to facilitate children to do homework and overcome language > difficulties. BS will also approach educational institutions in the area to > start open schools to facilitate dropouts, who cannot attend regular schools > to complete their education . > > On the economic front it will train women to weave Goan traditional cloth in > collaboration with Ms Poonam Pandit and Wendell Rodricks . Ms Poonam Pandit > showed saris and dupattas made by weavers in Goa and assured that Wendell > will promote the cloth made by them. > > Bailancho Saad will also do capacity building training for women to > participate in planning process and decision making bodies . > > Ms Martins stated that while BS will continue fighting the wrong policies > and support women in their individual struggles, it will specifically focus > on education, economic empowerment and participation in decision making. > > > > Sabina Martins > > for Bailancho Saad > >
