The 68 components from across Goa, that gathered to discuss the topic of a larger role for women in Comunidades at Goa Velha on Saturday, February 24, were unanimous in the opinion that there needs to be a way forward for inclusivity, and it would be best if a decision is taken before the court or government decides to take a call.
The tone for the debate was set by Dr Meenacshi Martins, who pointed out that “Systems were set at a time when we were a patriarchal society,” and that with time, ”women have proved to be the keepers of society.”
“When documents were needed in the past, they were found to be kept in cigarette boxes or match boxes or containers by women. We kept, or preserved, documents that are even needed now,” shared Dr Martins as she went about distilling the role of women.
As the baton was passed on to advocate Savio Correia – moderator of the convention of Article 652 – the lines became clearer with the choices being more distinct.
“I believe women need to have a bigger role, not just to keep pace with time, but because change is the path of growth,” emphasised advocate Correia.
“I have been approached by people after the convention and asked: What happens if a women gets married outside a Comunidade or even if a women gets married to an outsider (non-Goan),” shared Corriea.
His answers to the questions set the tone for the debates on the topic of the way forward.
To start with, advocate Correia shared the idea that a woman could be given zonn as long as she is alive, and that the question of descendants could be debated later. “The right could be given to women, but not to descendants,” was a statement which was met with enthusiasm.
“It is better that we start a discussion, and come to a decision instead of allowing the courts to step in, or even the government to take a call,” stressed advocate Correia, whilst drawing the contradiction between Art 20 of the Code of Comunidades, and Art 14 of the Constitution of India.
Art 20 of the Code of Comunidades states that gauncars should be male descendants, while Art 14 of the Constitution stipulates equality, and leaving out women could well see the matter ending in court.
Despite the 5th Comunidade Awareness Fellowship at Goa Velha's Casa do Povo wanting to focus on the role of women, attention shifted to illegalities in construction, connivance of the government, and the manner in which Comunidades were being stream rolled.
Advocate Shailesh Henriques began by expressing his view that women needed to play a bigger role, but advised restraint when delving on, “such a sensitive meeting.”
“I believe women need to player a larger role that needs to be defined and will be arrived at once the matter is discussed at respective comunidades by the general body,” expressed advocate Henriques.
The subject matter veered to how Comunidades would run if gauncars are united, and the role of the general body when Anjuna gauncar, Michael Mendonca, took the platform and showed how unity between a few gauncars can silence the dishonest within the system.
“In the end, it was not just the unity of gauncars but the majesty of the holy cross on the hill, in Anjuna, that helped us all see from the right and wrong, and start a system that respects the will of the general body,” quipped Mendonca to applause.
Historian Dr Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues dug into history to reflect the difference between a gauncar and an acionista (share holder) – that the former can be the latter, but not vice versa,” and also stating that problems with Comunidades are largely self-inflicted and that “the malady started during the time of the Portuguese.”
After the speakers vented their opinions, there was an interaction, which lasted for 50 minutes -- wherein answers were raised, sometimes just comments passed and opinions allowed to flow seamlessly -- by moderator Alexandre Moniz Barbosa.
“I think, the tone is set for more structured discussions in the future. This has to be a collaborative effort with open minds,” summed up author and former editor, Moniz Barbosa.
