---------------------------------------------------------------------------
**** http://www.GOANET.org ****
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Convenor of Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) Dr Oscar Rebello has been nominated
for CNN-IBN's Indian of the Year Award 2007 in public service category
Vote for him at:
http://www.cnnibnindianoftheyear.com/publicservice_voting_new.php
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOURISM'S BLIND SPOT IN GOA: WOMEN AND GENDER ISSUES
Anita Haladi
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Goa, a small state on the western coast of India, has
witnessed a tremendous growth in tourism since the 1970s.
Though tourism began in an informal manner in the early 60s,
the real; spurt in tourist arrivals began in the 70s.
Today, the contribution of the tourism sector to the economy
of Goa in SDP terms is second only to mining. Goa crossed the
one million tourist mark in 1994 and the growth in the inflow
of tourists, both domestic and foreign continues. The
Government of Goa declared tourism as an industry in the year
2000. Tourism is largely perceived as an engine for growth
for the economy of this state.
If tourism growth has to optimize benefits to the local
population, there is an urgent need to assess its impact on
different target groups. Who benefits and who bears the cost
of tourism are questions that are equally, if not more
important than, how much has Goa's economy benefited from
tourism.
Tourism is an industry that has an impact on economic,
social, environmental and political conditions and on gender
relations. For any economic activity to be considered as
important and meaningful, an assessment of its impact on the
lives of people needs to be carried out.
Most often, we tend to highlight the economic
benefits of tourism from a growth-centered
perspective instead of a people-centered
perspective. As soon as policies for tourism begin
to be shaped, the emphasis shifts away from people
to profits. Today, the government in Goa seems
mainly concerned with visualizing new products and
new players in the sphere of tourism. Given this
scenario, the impact of tourism on gender receives
the least priority and is completely ignored by
people in general and by policy makers in particular.
Women constitute a significant proportion of the total
population of our state (population of Goa 1.3 million
according to the 2001 Census). In addressing the issue of
tourism, we cannot simply ignore what is happening to our
people and women because of tourism.
It has been amply proved by researchers and activists that
economics and politics influence gender relations. The need
for gender equality does not need over emphasis. If a policy
impacts people and gender relations, we need to make a
serious effort to understand how this happens and how we can
create policies that improve gender relations and the status
of women.
SOME BENEFITS, 70% WAGES
Studies show that women have benefited from tourism in some
ways. Tourism being a labour-intensive industry has created
employment opportunities for all including women and ILO
estimates that 46% of the total workforce in tourism consists
of women. However, studies also tell us that in developing
countries, women only earn 70% of the wages that men earn
from tourism.
Like in all other sectors, gender stereotypes and
traditionally defined gender roles are responsible for the
horizontal and vertical gender-based segregation of the
labour market.
Lesser education, lesser opportunities for skill development
and training, lesser access to credit, a lower health status,
a lower socio-economic status and, the invisibility of women
in policy making contribute to women receiving lesser
benefits from tourism. International tourism that is
market-driven necessitates high capital investment that tends
to be controlled by powerful and vested interests that are
characterized by a lack of concern for the well-being of
local communities and women.
Tourism today is an integral part of modern consumerism. As
leisure and wealth increase, tourism consumption also
increases. Marketing of tourism has become increasingly
competitive and has resulted in enhancing gender stereotypes
that depict women as passive, dependent and available.
SEXUAL AND EXOTIC MARKERS
Tourism brochures, including the ones prepared by the tourism
industry in Goa, have used women as sexual and exotic
markers. Despite disclaimers from the authorities responsible
for this distortion in the image of women, Goa has been
marketed as a land of Sea, Sun, Sand and Sex. Goa like
Thailand and Sri Lanka, has witnessed an increase in
sex-tourism and also an increase in crimes against women and
children (both local and tourist).
The growth of tourism in Goa has also led to destruction of
traditional occupations and the environment. Resource
allocation has become skewed in favor of the tourism industry
and land alienation is a serious concern (See 'Fish Curry
and Rice', Goa Foundation, 2002).
The impact of a skewed developmental approach that disregards
implications for the people has been well documented by many.
However, in the light of the growing emphasis by the
Government on tourism as an engine for growth in Goa, one
needs to make an effort to research on its impacts on the
people and on women in particular.
Since 1995 (4th World Conference on Women, Beijing),
gender-mainstreaming has been adopted as a strategy for
gender equality. The main aim of gender main-streaming is to
incorporate a gender perspective in all policies at all
levels and at all stages by policy makers.
A MICRO-STUDY
Due the importance of assessing the impact of tourism on
women and gender relations, I have been conducting a
micro-study in Calangute, Candolim and Baga (popular
destinations in North-Goa) and in Cacra (a village
predominantly inhabited by indigenous people) in the state of
Goa.
The purpose of this study is to understand the nature and
extent of impact of tourism on women in Goa. My presentation
includes some of the primary findings of my ongoing research
and attempts to trace the growth of tourism in Goa and its
socio-economic implications at the micro level. I have relied
on both primary and secondary sources of information for my
research. This paper would therefore focus on the following
concerns related to tourism and gender in Goa:
* The growth of tourism in Goa
* The employment potential for women in tourism
* The socio-economic problems related to tourism and its
impact on gender
* Evolving strategies to combat the negative consequences
of tourism
THE GROWTH OF TOURISM IN GOA:
Goa which was liberated from 451 years of Portuguese rule in
1961 became the 25th state of the Indian Union when it was
conferred statehood on the 30th of May, 1987. A tiny state in
India on the western coastline, Goa has an area of
3702sq.kms. The State's population according to the 2001
Census is 1.34 million. Although Goa joined the national
mainstream 14 years after India's independence, the tourist
traffic to this state has registered a phenomenal growth from
0.2 million in 1975 to 1.57 million in 2004.
Given below are statistics that show the growth in tourist
traffic to Goa from 1985 to 2004:
TABLE I:
Year Domestic Tourists Foreign Tourists Total
1985 682575 92667 775212
1986 736548 97533 834081
1987 766846 94602 861448
1988 761859 93076 854935
1989 771013 91430 862443
1990 776993 104330 881323
1991 756786 78281 835067
1992 774568 121442 896010
1993 798576 170658 969234
1994 849404 210191 1059595
1995 878487 229218 1107705
1996 888914 237216 1126130
1997 928925 261673 1190598
1998 953212 275047 1228259
1999 960114 284298 1244412
2000 976804 291709 1268513
2001 1120242 260071 1380313
2002 1325296 271645 1596941
2003 1725140 314357 2039497
2004 1367223 205212 1572435
(2004 figures are for Jan to Oct)
Source: Tourist Statistics 2004, Goa, India, Department of
Tourism, Government of Goa, 2004.
From the table given above, it is evident that the tourist
traffic to Goa (both domestic as well as foreign) has been
steadily increasing over the years.
The average duration of stay for domestic tourists is five
days as compared to foreign tourists who stay in Goa for nine
days on an average. Out of the total number of foreign
tourists visiting Goa, 43% come from the U.K. and the rest
are from Europe, Russia and the U.S.A.
Almost 50% of foreign tourists arrive by charter flights the
number of which has increased from 24 in 1985 to 532 in 2004.
The Government and more specifically, the Department of
Tourism has started an aggressive marketing campaign to
promote tourism and more specifically, to attract a larger
number of foreign tourists to the state.
The Economic Survey 2003-04 of the Government of Goa states
that, "Though Goa is a very small state both in terms of area
and population; it contributes significantly to the national
exchequer. Goa receives over 10% of foreign tourists visiting
the country and 15% of the nation's foreign exchange earnings
from tourism are generated in Goa annually."
Towards tourism promotion, the government has planned several
initiatives including strengthening marketing strategies,
beach development and safety measures, heritage conservation
and the regulation of water sports. The master plan for
tourism mentions proposals for at least two golf courses,
seven more resorts, four food parks, recreational and
amusement parks and offshore casinos. However, the measures
as those included in policy documents have failed to mention
any specific initiatives for environmental protection and
promotion or any specific measures to generate employment for
the local population. Gender concerns are certainly not
reflected in any of the policy initiatives.
LABOUR-INTENSIVE, MULTIPLIER EFFECT
Tourism is projected as a labour-intensive industry that has
a multiplier effect on employment and income. Being a
heterogeneous, multi-segmented industry it offers employment
to people in a variety of sectors. Employment is created in
sectors both directly and indirectly related to tourism.
One of the objectives of this ongoing research has been to
ascertain the potential for employment for women in the
tourism sector in Goa. According to government estimates,
nearly 20% of the total employment in the State is generated
in the tourism sector. However, government documents do not
contain any kind of statistics related to how much employment
has been actually generated in the tourism sector.
In Goa, people find employment in travel agencies, as tour
operators, the transport sector (taxis and motorcycle taxis,
tourist buses), in shops and cafes, bakeries, laundries,
beauty salons, boutiques, cybercafés, the entertainment
business and event management, as travel guides, renting
rooms and vehicles, in shacks along the beach, etc.
In the coastal belt of Calangute and Candolim alone, there
are 790 shops, 35 travel agencies, 72 shacks, 849 bars or
restaurants, 560 room rentals, 453 large and small hotels and
guest houses, 2 art galleries, 3 dental clinics, 8 pharmacies
or drug stores, 14 bakeries, 18 supermarkets, 28 camera or
photo shops, and 30 beauty parlors.
The hotel industry is perceived as a major source of
employment by the local population. In Goa there are 414
hotels which include 11 five-star deluxe, 3 five-star, 2
four-star, 19 three-star, 24 two-star, 19 one-star, 1
heritage category and 14 run by the Goa Tourism Development
Corporation, among others.
Given below are some of the primary findings that are an
attempt to quantify the extent of employment for men and
women in one of the sectors namely, the hotel industry in
Goa:
TABLE II:
Hotel, category and location Male Female Total Employees
Ronil BR, 2 Star, Calangute 141 09 150
Fort Aguada, 5 Star Deluxe, Sinquerim 267 35 302
Majestic, 3 Star, Porvorim 94 06 100
Angels Resort, 3 Star, Porvorim 67 11 78
Hotel Mandovi, 3 Star, Panjim 138 08 146
Goa Marriott, 5 Star Deluxe, Panjim 280 50 330
Perola do Mar, 1 Star, Calangute 10 02 12
Carmo Lobo, 1 Star, Candolim 20 05 25
Alor Holiday Resort, 2 Star, Calangute 55 05 60
Mapusa Residency, Mapusa 20 20 40
Hotel Delmon, 2 Star, Panjim 66 06 72
Aldeia Santa Rita, 3 Star, Candolim 47 01 48
Falcon Hotel, 2 Star, Calangute 40 10 50
Santiago Resorts, 2 Star, Calangute 65 02 67
Casa Sea Shell, 1 Star, Candolim 11 00 11
Maria Rosa, 2 Star, Calangute 40 00 40
Magnum Resort, 2 Star, Calangute 43 02 45
Dona Alcina, 3 Star, Candolim 72 08 80
Hotel Check In, 1 Star, Panjim 06 00 06
Hotel Neptune, 1 Star, Panjim 05 03 08
Hotel Arcadia, 1 Star, Panjim 05 01 06
Hotel Rajdhani, 1 Star, Panjim 28 07 35
Hotel Virashree, 1 Star, Panjim 05 01 06
Hotel Sohni Inn, 1 Star, Panjim 01 01 02
Hotel Priti Intl, 2 Star, Mapusa 25 02 27
Kenilworth Resort, 5 Star, Utorda 140 45 185
Bogmalo Beach Resort, 5 Star, Bogmalo 298 55 353
Horizon Beach Resort, 3 Star, S. Goa 38 12 50
Note: These are primary findings and the ongoing study
proposes to cover 10% of the hotels in each category.
From the table given above we can see that out of the 28
hotels covered so far, the total number of persons employed
is 2328. The number of men who are employed (2202) far
exceeds the number of women (306) in the hotel industry in
Goa. Some 86.8% of those employed in this industry are men
compared to women who are just 13.14% of the total.
A study conducted in North Goa by Bailancho Saad, a women's
organization in 2000, revealed the following:
* The total number of women who find employment in the
tourism sector is much lesser as compared to men.
* The type of employment that women find is depends more on
their personal appearance and conversational skills as
compared to their educational qualifications.
* Employment in this sector is seasonal, contractual and is
characterized by a high labor turnover.
* Working hours are long and irregular.
* Wages during the off-season are considerably lower than
during the peak season.
* Most of the women have given up traditional occupations in
agriculture and fishing to find jobs in the tourism sector.
Government statistics reveal that between 1991 and 2001,
the percentage of cultivators and agricultural labourers in
the workforce decreased by 26.2 and 19.3 respectively and
that the percentage of workers in the household industry
and other workers has actually increased by 43.3 and 45.6
respectively (Economic Survey, 2003-04, Govt. of Goa).
* Though there is equal pay for equal work, women find
employment in lower positions and thus end up earning much
lesser than men from tourism
* Most of the respondents did not have specialized training
or education directly related to tourism.
WOMEN TAKING JOBS IN MALE DOMINATED AREAS OF WORK: A CASE-STUDY
The following is a case-study of a young woman from a tribal
community in Goa. Suhas (name changed) comes from a
socio-economically deprived community and has fought her way
through most of her life to become one of the first women to
acquire a heavy motor vehicle license. She always dreamt of
getting a job as a bus driver in the state-owned transport
corporation. However, her dreams were shattered as her
application was rejected on the grounds that giving a job to
a woman would set a trend that would reduce job opportunities
for men a sector that has been traditionally male-dominated!
Refusing to give up her dreams, Savita is fighting for her
rights together with a women's organization (Bailancho Saad)
in Goa. Today, she drives a jeep that ferries tourists to a
popular tourist site that is only accessible by road.
However, she continues to face ridicule from other transport
operators who continue to pressurize her hoping that she will
give up!
Observations during the course of my research have also
revealed the following:
* The number of women in the hotel industry is significantly
lower than men.
* Women are mostly employed in semi-skilled or unskilled jobs
and have lesser opportunities than men to find employment
in the tourism sector in Goa.
* Women are mostly employed in the front office and house
keeping departments, are employed on a contractual basis
and consequently receive lower wages than men.
* There are 146 travel agencies and 91 tour operators in Goa.
However, even cursory observation reveals that most of the
jobs in travel agencies are occupied by men. The number of
women in managerial positions is insignificant and those
who do find jobs here are employed as front office or
secretarial assistants.
* The transport sector is totally dominated by men
* Even in tourism related businesses like shops, shacks,
cafes, and restaurants etc that are mostly owned and
operated by men, women are employed in lower end jobs where
their wages are lower than men.
* Tourism continues to attract young girls and boys who often
drop out of high school to work in low paid jobs in this
sector. (The drop out rate is 42.21 for students from
standard I-X).
* Today only a very small percentage of the students consider
obtaining training/education in tourism related skills as
an option before seeking employment. Even if there consider
tourism as an employment option, they prefer to begin in
semi-skilled or unskilled jobs.
* Government statistics (Economic Survey, 2003-04, Govt.
of Goa), reveal that from the year 1991 to 2001, the
percentage of women marginal workers has increased from
3.8 to 7.5 whereas, that of main workers has decreased
from 16.8 to 14.8. Thus there has been an actual increase
in the number of women casual workers in the state
* Tourism does not provide steady employment. The maximum
numbers of tourists visit only four out of the eleven
talukas (administrative divisions of the state) and so the
benefits are concentrated in thee areas.
Even if we are to accept the argument that tourism bestows
economic benefits by way of generating employment, it is
evident from the data and findings mentioned above that the
total number of job opportunities for women in the tourism
sector is very low and is characterized by gender
stereotyping and discrimination. We can therefore safely
conclude that the net benefits to women from tourism are
extremely low.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONCERNS:
When we try to understand the implications of tourism for the
people living in tourist destinations, it is important to
look beyond the obvious economic benefits like foreign
exchange earnings, revenues and employment generation. The
socio-economic problems generated by tourism have to be
understood and possibly quantified if a true assessment is to
be made.
Some of the major concerns related to tourism development in
Goa are as follows.
Migration and its implication for the people of Goa: Goa has
witnessed an increase in migration since the early sixties.
However, the extent of migration has definitely increased
since the mid-eighties entirely due to tourism.
Since attaining statehood in 1987, Goa embarked upon massive
infrastructural development for the purpose of tourism
promotion. Goa has a fairly high literacy rate and there has
been a gradual shift in preference for skilled and non-manual
jobs by the educated youth.
The increased demand for manual labour is met by
people who migrate to the state from neighboring
areas where there is a scarcity of employment
opportunities. People from other states are bought
in by labor contractors who do not take
responsibility for providing the workers with
decent facilities for housing and sanitation.
Consequently, there has been an increase in urban
slums where migrant men and women lead a vulnerable
and marginalized existence due to the conflict
between them and the local population.
In addition to construction labour, the coastal areas have
attracted migrants who come to Goa during the tourist season
to sell handicrafts to tourists. Men, women and even children
sell their wares to tourists in order to make a living. These
families live in make-shift huts and are constantly harassed
by the police and by the locals who perceive them as a threat
to their own businesses.
Besides workers who migrate to the state to satisfy the
demand for manual labour, there are an increasing number of
wealthy people from other parts of India and foreign tourists
who have migrated to Goa.
Wealthy businessmen have invested capital in the state and
own the larger business concerns , thereby taking a larger
share in the profits generated by tourism. (Most five-star
hotels, casinos, entertainment centers etc, are owned by
people who have migrated from outside the state.) It is the
latter category of migrants who pose a threat to the
interests of the local population in the state.
Migration has thus led to a conflict over resources such as
land, food, water and, housing, Besides the conflict over
resources, there has emerged a constant tussle over
employment opportunities (for skilled and semi-skilled and
unskilled jobs) between the local youth who are grappling
with growing unemployment and the migrants who vie for jobs
both in the tourism and non-tourism sectors.
Tourism and escalating prices: With the boom in tourism, the
number of tourists sometimes exceeds the total population of
the state. The demand for food, transport, entertainment and
other resources that is generated during the peak season
pushes the prices for essential commodities upwards. The
economy of households which is mainly managed and sustained
by women faces manifold problems that are rightly perceived
as detrimental to the economic and health status of people,
especially women.
Though it is argued that rising prices benefit the sellers
and producers, the actual benefits are shared by many in the
marketing chain, thus leaving serious questions about the net
gain when compared to the high consumer price index (the CPI
for industrial workers in 2001 for Goa was 555 compared to
458 for the rest of India) that places tremendous pressure on
the economy of households in Goa.
Lack of sustainable alternatives to tourism: The economy of
Goa today largely depends on tourism and mining for its
sustenance. Though efforts have been made to work out
alternatives, these have not been rigorously pursued and
hence continue to be largely obscure in the developmental
strategy of the state. The emphasis in all policy documents
is on tourism and very little attention is paid to the
possibility of developing other sectors as alternatives to
tourism.
Traditional occupations are constantly under threat either
due to the lack of attention by the state or due to tourism
itself. Attempts by the big hotels to privatize beaches and
cutting off access to the beach has led to problems for
traditional fish workers.
Even as recently as last month [at the time of writing], huts
used by fish workers to store fishing boats and nets were
demolished by the state to make way for beach expansion plans
to support tourism at Colva (a popular destination in South Goa).
Tourism is therefore considered as the only option for
generating employment by the locals. Goa has also witnessed a
large scale out migration by men to other parts of India and
out of India in search of employment. There are many
households headed by women who bear the burden of family
rearing and nurturing entirely on their own.
Tourism, the commercialization of culture and its
implications for women: The culture of Goa has been
erroneously represented as that of the Catholic upper caste
elites. The tourism industry has further appropriated and
strengthened this image to market Goa as a state that
symbolizes nostalgia for its colonial past.
In almost all tourism related literature, Goa is
characterized as female and is sold to potential male
consumers (tourists). Advertisements by the private hotels,
airlines and even the government have depicted women in a
derogatory manner seeking to commodify women as objects
waiting to seek gratification from male tourists.
In 1993, at the Berlin Tourism Fair, a Government
of India audio-visual depicted two beaches in Goa
sandwiched between erect nipples of a white woman's
breasts. Women's organization who have been
protesting such distorted and derogatory
advertisements claim that women in Goa have been
subjected to increased sexual harassment, violence
and prostitution as a result.
Western travel magazines have also reportedly used this
gendered marketing strategy to promote Goa as a destination
where "you can leave your guilt behind at the moment when you
travel and indulge in your wildest fantasies".
In addition to the growth of violence against women
perpetrated by this form of sexist advertising, it has also
promoted a market for sex trade that has resulted in
increased trafficking of women to the state. Prostitution
networks have proliferated along the coastal belt and with
the help of sophisticated technology have made detection and
prosecution more difficult for law enforcement agencies.
The commercialization of culture can also be witnessed in the
manner in which local customs and traditional events have
been appropriated by the government and the tourism lobby.
The so-called Goan dances and culture that are on display at
hotels, on boat rides and the state sponsored carnival are
examples of the attempt to use women as baits to attract
tourists!
Goa has been thus painted as land of tolerant, peace loving
people, westernized, easy going and a land of fun, frolic,
festivals and feni (locally brewed liquor). People visiting
Goa (both domestic and foreign tourists) when asked about
what attracts them to Goa; often reply that it is the "wine
and women".
Goa has also witnessed an increase in domestic tourists who
come to Goa to ogle at topless women sunbathing on the Goan
beaches. Though nudism on beaches is prohibited by law, one
often encounters topless or semi-nude men and women on the
beaches who become targets of voyeurism that often translates
into sexual harassment.
In addition to the commercialization and erroneous depiction
of culture, the promotion strategies used by tourism players
have contributed to increased drug and alcohol abuse by both
the tourist and the local youth. Rave parties are
characterized by the availability of cheap liquor (due to
lower state taxes), easy availability of drugs and the open
use of drugs and alcohol by tourists, entice the youth who
participate in these events.
Environmental impact of tourism: The government's plan for
tourism promotion has not included either a cost-benefit
analysis or an environmental impact assessment. The plans
have continued to ignore the need to assess the carrying
capacity of the state while promoting tourism expansion.
Tourism has generated a variety of environmental problems
which include:
* The diversion of water for the use of hotels and for
construction that has left the locals to face a severe
water crisis that places a severe burden on the women
in these areas. Water from wells in villages is
transported by water tankers to the tourism belt to
meet the growing need for water. The continuous
draining of water from wells has resulted in wells
becoming dry due to the lowering of ground water
levels. The proposals to construct more resorts and
golf courses would only heighten the problem of water
scarcity.
* The tourist belts of Calangute, Candolim and Colva do
not have any sewage treatment facilities. Studies
submitted to the government have shown that the sewage
in the areas has contaminated groundwater aquifers that
pose a serious health hazard to people who live here.
* The garbage generated by hotels and tourists who visit
the coastal areas is enormous and creates a severe
burden on the meager resources that have been allocated
by the government for its disposal. The coastal areas
have garbage strewn all over (plastic and
non-biodegradable waste).
* Goa has also become a recognized party center and the
coastal areas are subjected to deafening noise
generated by all-night parties and events that are
regularly held on the beach.
* Rampant construction of hotels and concrete structures
has flouted all norms and regulations. The coastal belt
of Calangute, Candolim and Baga has been converted into
a concrete jungle thereby destroying the natural beauty
of these places and creating impediments to traditional
occupations like toddy tapping and fishing.
Goa -- a definite increase: Since the early 90's, Goa has
also witnessed a gradual but definite increase in pedophilia.
Till Freddy Peats was convicted of child sexual abuse in
1996, very few in Goa were even aware of the possibility of
such acts of violation against children. The Freddy Peats
case threw up many questions among which was whether this was
an isolated case or whether the malaise of pedophilia had
indeed become widespread in Goa.
When a small group of child rights activist studied the
problem, it became evident that pedophiles posing as tourists
have been visiting our state and abusing our children by
taking advantage of their vulnerability and weak laws that
make detection and prosecution extremely difficult. The
continuous and deliberate attempts by the government and a
majority of Goans to push the issue under the carpet had
contributed to the growth of tourism related child sexual
abuse. The problem has been well researched and documented
('See the Evil', Nishtha Desai, 2001).
Due to the prolonged battle waged by child rights groups and
women's organizations in the State, the Government has had to
finally acknowledge the problem and has enacted the Goa
Children's Act that includes specific provisions to protect
children and to prosecute the violators. Child rights
activists have elicited support from the local communities
residing in the tourist belt to protect all children from
pedophiles. The message that now goes out to all visitors is:
"Tourists are welcome, Pedophiles are not!"
EVOLVING STRATEGIES
Ever since the Government declared tourism as an industry and
put forward a "master plan" to promote tourism, questions
have been raised by citizens and NGOs about its implications
for the people. Protests have been made against the
environmental degradation, destruction of traditional sources
of livelihood, commercialization of culture, the promotion of
golf courses and casinos, illegal constructions,
privatization of beaches, against issuing more licenses to
bars, pedophilia, and the like.
The protests have been led by the affected villagers and have
been often supported by NGOs like the Goa Foundation, Jagrut
Goenkaranchi Fauz (Army of Vigilant Goans), Bailancho Saad,
Children's Rights in Goa, Jan Ugahi, and Bailancho Ekvott,
citizens' committees, freedom fighters' associations and others.
The following demands were placed before the Government by
concerned groups and citizens in 1997: (See: 'Fish Curry
and Rice', Goa Foundation, 2002)
* Tourism promotion should not distort the image of Goa, its
people and specially women.
* A ban should be imposed on granting any further licenses
for the production and sale of alcohol. Bars should be
regulated. Drinking should not be allowed on buses, in
market places and on the streets.
* No permission should be granted to casinos either on land
or sea and gambling should be prohibited.
* There should be a code of dress and behavior for tourists
in order to prevent disrespect to local traditions and
culture.
* The Government and the tourism lobby cannot expand tourism
at the expense of the local people.
* The Master Plan for Tourism should be placed before the
people for comments and suggestions.
These groups have successfully thwarted attempts to violate
environmental norms, to privatize beaches, to commercialese
the carnival, to promote golf courses and casinos in the
state of Goa.
Strategies used have included mobilizing affected people and
the general public, using the media to promote awareness,
producing alternative literature on tourism related issues,
lobbying with sensitive legislators, holding protest marches
and sit-ins, organizing a people's carnival wherein awareness
about the dangers of tourism was generated, etc.
VILLAGERS PROTESTS IN CACRA
Between 1999 and 2001, the villagers of Cacra (a tiny fishing
village consisting of 45 houses with a population of
approximately 450 people from the tribal community), came out
in protest against the licensing of a bar which they
perceived as a nuisance to the village. The women in Cacra
believed that the bar was responsible for promoting
alcoholism among male members of their community and that it
was impacting the lives of all women in the village.
Consequently, they elicited the support of a women's
organization (Bailancho Saad) and approached the authorities
with a protest petition and forced the bar to close down. Goa
has a liberal alcohol policy to support tourism in the state.
Licenses are freely issued and lower taxes on alcohol enable
even the poor to consume it. Similar protests have been
organized by women in other villages in Goa.
In 2001, the owners of a five-star deluxe hotel in North Goa,
began constructing a jetty for a proposed water sports
facility in Cacra, without even bothering to obtain the
necessary permission from the village panchayat (local
self-government institution at the village level). The
construction began at a rapid pace and alarmed the villagers,
especially the fish workers whose access to the sea was
restricted and whose fishing nets were damaged. The hotel
owners had also dug a well in the area to draw water for the
construction without consulting the villagers. Constant
pumping of water from this well resulted in the lowering of
water levels in the well used by the village. The villagers
approached the panchayat and sought an explanation. With the
support of NGOs they lodged their protests and finally
approached the Chief Minister of Goa who was forced to ask
the hotel to stop construction immediately.
It is important to note that in both these instances, the
women in the village were proactive in their protests as they
perceived the developments in their village as those that
impacted and threatened their lives.
IN CONCLUSION: IMPACTING WOMEN
From all that has been said above, it is evident that tourism
has generated many problems in Goa -- problems that impact
the lives of women both directly and indirectly. In order to
make development equitable and meaningful, it is imperative
that every plan, proposal or policy be based on a clear
understanding of the possible impact these would have on the
status of women.
Women's groups in Goa have been continuously partnering with
the concerned citizens and groups within and outside Goa, to
evolve strategies to combat the negative influences of
tourism on gender. Researchers and policy makers need to
develop a gender-sensitive insight into the developmental
models that are currently practiced. The above paper is a
modest attempt to begin the journey towards such an
understanding.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alvares, Claude, 'Fish Curry and Rice', Goa Foundation, 2002
Bailancho Saad, 'In the Name of a Game: The stakes in
Golf', 1993.
Bailancho Saad, 'Culture Vultures: A Critique of the
Commercialization of Carnival in Goa', 1993.
David Wilson, 'Paradoxes of Tourism in Goa', in, 'The
Transforming of Goa', ed. Norman Dantas, The Other India
Press, 1999.
Diocesan Pastoral Council, 'Tourism in Goa: Its
Implications,' 1987.
Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa, 'Tourist
Statistics-2004'
Hemmati, Minu (Ed), 'Gender and Tourism: Women's impact and
participation in tourism', UNED-UK, 2000
Hugh and Colleen Gantzer, 'Discovering Goa' Media Transasia
India Limited, 2001.
Mario Cabral e Sa, 'Goa Tourism: Astride a Tigress', in Goa
Today, Vol. XXXVIII No.8, March, 2004.
Martins, Roland, 'For a Humane Tourism' in Seminar,, 543,
November, 2004.
Martins Sabina, 'Cognizance of Non-Cognizance: Report on
Registered Crimes against Women in Goa', Goa State Commission
for Women, July 2000.
Rao, Nina, 'Women and Tourism', paper presented at a workshop
organized by Institute for Management in Government,
Thiruvananthapuram, 21-23rd July, 1997.
Thomas Bryn and Douglas Streatfield-James, 'Lonely Planet:
Goa', Lonely Planet Publications, London, 2000
Vikas Adhyayan Kendra, 'Facts against Myths: Myths on
Tourism', Vol. II # 7, October, 199
Websites:
http://www.earthsummit2002.org
http://www.unidadgenero.com
[This paper was presented at the 9th International Congress
on Women, organized by WW05, Seoul, Korea. Sub theme:
Traveling Women in Asia, 23rd June 2005.]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way
of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share
quality Goa-related writing among the 10000-strong readership
of the Goanet/Goanet-news network of mailing lists. If you
appreciated the thoughts expressed above, please send in your
feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what
they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from
those who appreciate their work. GoanetReader welcomes your
feedback at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Goanet Reader is edited by
Frederick Noronha fredericknoronha at gmail.com Please visit
Goanet's website at http://www.goanet.org For the latest Goa
News headlines visit: http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Goanet, building community, creating social capital for 13 years.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
