WOMEN, POLITICAL POWER AND THE STATE IN GOA A THESIS SUBMITTED TO GOA UNIVERSITY FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE BY SEEMA P. SALGAONKAR UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF DR. PETER RONALD DE SOUZA 1 Professor & Head DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE GOA UNIVERSIT • I ..40;\ le 0-(A-WAV-f%e_ CronrceAbY1 S GOA UNIVERSITY - - wt_eia,LTALEIGA0 PLATEAU GOA - 403203 APRIL 2000 fl(o5/01 ■ “ki ) STATEMENT REQUIRED UNDER ORDINANCE 19.8 (VI) RELATING TO Ph.D. DEGREE The present thesis entitled 'Women, Political Power and the State in Goa' is a bonafide record of research work done by me under the supervision of Dr. Peter Ronald de Souza; Prof and Head, Department of Political Science, Goa University. I further state that no part of the thesis has been submitted for a degree or diploma or any other similar title of this or any other university. Taleigao Plateau Seepia-ft-Sgg—aonkar Date - 0 - 0 0 ej- CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the Ph.D. thesis entitled 'Women, Political Power and the State in Goa,' is an original work carried out by Ms. Seema P. Salgaonkar under my guidance and that no part of this work has been presented for any other Degree, Diploma, Fellowship or other similar titles. Date: 7 Dr Peter Ronald de Souza. - ' 41/4 • Professor and Head /c, ,1 ' Department of Political Science, 0 i r Goa University. PREFACE There is growing consciousness to recognize women's autonomy, and their capacity to act as full citizens. They have to be looked as change agents and important contributors to the national development. Their role in social, political and economic context has to be understood in right earnest. The forces operating in the society which ghettoized women need to be recognized and refuted, and not camouflaged. This study is an attempt to understand the role played by women in political arena in Goa. It is observed that there are inter-regional as well as intra-regional variations in the position and role of women. Various factors such as class, caste, religious affiliations, cultural milieu, the existing patriarchal practices and their diverse histories play crucial role in determining the position of women in a given region. It is therefore necessary to have specific studies on women in different regions in order to build up an adequate theoretical basis. Such an attempt would also assist in developing strategies for combating the forces operating against participation of women. The political and social life in Goa has given rise to various questions regarding the existence and nature of patriarchal system in a post-colonial society. The pervasive influence of Portuguese rule which by and large showed a positive attitude towards women is noteworthy. Further, the small size of the state has reduced the asymmetries between the representatives and represented, compelling the former to heed the needs of women. This has improved the standard of living of women in Goa, especially in the fields of health and education. However a puzzling paradox is observed where the lot of women is changed due to the welfare provisions and progressive legislation, yet the things have remained the same. This is because the traditional institutions, family, community and the state, are entrapped into the hierarchy of power relations. Though patriarchy has to be deconstructed, it should not be viewed as a ghost that cannot be fought back. Much depends on the forces operating against patriarchy in a given society. These forces include education, legal safeguards, development of scientific outlook, enlightenment of men, and awareness of their own potentials and capacities by women. Has the Goan society progressed in this terms and to what extent women are benefited by this progress, what role they ascribe for themselves, are they able to play effective role at different levels and actively participate in different spheres of life, these and such other questions forms the major concern of this study. It looks at women as freedom fighters, voters, leaders and activists. It also studies the role played by the state to promote the well-being of women in Goa. Does the state strive to fight back the forces of patriarchy, does it extend its role beyond merely removing the barriers of equality, and comply to provide 'special' treatment to women, forms an important part of this study. The completion of this work is made possible only through the help and inspiration of various people. I express my heartfelt gratitude to my Guide, Dr. Peter Ronald de Souza, who time and again gave critical comments on my work. His attitude was encouraging, and he always made me believe that I could do better. Without his co-operation, encouragement and supervision, it would have been impossible on my part to complete this work. I take this opportunity to thank the staff members of Goa University Library, Central Library - Panaji, Secretariat Library- Panaji, Jawaharlal Nehru University - Delhi, and Teen Murti Nehru Momorial- Delhi. I am also thankful to the staff of B.D.O Office of Bardez and Tiswadi Taluka, staff of Mamlatdar Office-Quepem, staff of Directorate of Women and Child Development - Panaji, State Social Welfare Advisory Board, Provedoria, Rural Development Agency, and State Commission for Women. I also extend sincere thanks to Ms Kiran Saxena- Associate Professor, JNU, Dr Adi Doctor, and Dr. D.K. Singh, who helped me with their invaluable suggestions. My special thanks goes to my respondents, the women freedom fighters, women voters from Quepem Taluka, women Panchas and Sarpanches in Bardez Taluka, members of Bailancho Saad, and the beneficiaries of the Financial Assistance to Widows Scheme from Tiswadi Taluka, who were co-operative and helpful. I am indebted to my Appa, who kept me alert with constant inquiry about my work. It is not possible to name all, but I am grateful to all those who directly or indirectly, assisted me in completing this work. This work could not have seen the light of the day, if Pradeep was not next to me in all my odd times. He blended in him the role of a friend, a staunch critic, and an emotional supporter. I dedicate my work to Pradeep. Sterna P. Salgaonkar ii 0 A o S it yi L . k +.0.411 flit) 5calt . 1 V- - I • • • cc' MIS IMAII t IIIMMI• • • qtr ••••••• MI WIN ...memo awa•www It MI LIST OF TABLES Table No. Title of the Table Pg. No. 1.1 Impact of Structural Adjustment Programme on Women 8 1.2 Women's Representation in Parliament (1952-1996) 13 1.3 • Women's Representation in State Legislatures (1952-1996) 13 1.4 Work Participation in Goa 17 1.5 Representation of women in Goa Legislative Assembly (1963-99) 18 1.6 Registered crimes against women in Goa for the year 1999 19 1.7 Cases registered under 498(a) in Goa from 1994-1999. 19 2.1 Years of imprisonment undergone by women freedom fighters 43-44 3.1 Voting Pattern at the Parliamentary Elections in Goa (1963-1998) 63 3.2 Gender Difference in voting in Goa 63 3.3 Sex Ratio and Electoral Sex Ratio in Goa. 64 3.4 Percentage of voting in 1998 Lok Sabha Elections 67 3.5 Reasons for Abstention from voting 67 3.6(A) Literate and illiterate women who abstained from voting 68 3.6(B) Literate and illiterate women who voted 68 3.6(C) Literate women who voted and abstained from voting 68 3.6(D) Illiterate women who voted and those who abstained from voting 68 3.7 Age and voting 69 3.8 Understanding religion-wise voting pattern 69 3.9 Occupation and its influence on voting 70 3.10 (A) Level of Dependency in voting • 72 3.10 (B) Whether women voted as per the instructions of males 73 3.11 Housewives and pattern of dependency in voting 74 3.12 Interest in Campaign Activities 76 3.13 Percentage of women electorate engaged in campaign activities. 77 iv 3.14 (A) Percentage of Party Preferences 78 3.14 (B) Age, Education, Religion, Occupation and Party preferences. 79 3.14 (C) Distribution of sample on basis of party preferences. 80 3.15 Considerations in voting 80 3.16 Parties preferred to solve the problems 81 3.17 Interest taken by MLA/MP in solving Problems of the locality 82 3.18 Responses showing awareness on various issues in Goa 84 3.19 Responses showing awareness on women issues 85 3.20 Responses showing systemic satisfaction. 87 4.1 Taluka-wise Representation of women panchas 104 4.2 Distribution of sample according to education 108 4.3 Age and reason for women's entry in grassroots politics 110 4.4 Religion and reason for entry in politics 110 4.5 Economic status and reason for entry in grassroots politics. 110 4.6 Education and reason for entry 111 4.7 Influence of Age on decision-making 113 4.8 Influence of Religion on decision-making 113 4.9 Influence of Education on decision-making 114 4.10 Influence of economic status on decision-making 114 4.11 Age and Domination by male panchas 116 4.12 Religion and domination by male panchas 116 4.13 Economic status and domination by male panchas 116 4.14 Education and domination by male panchas 117 4.15 Attendance of women panchas at the panchayat meetings 118 5.1 Women NGOs in Goa 144 CONTENTS Preface Map of Goa iii List of Tables iv-v CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION 1 -24 A) Understanding women's Question 1-6 B) Approaches to understand status of women 6-9 C) Empowerment of Women 9-10 D) Beijing Conference- Strategy towards Women's Empowerment 10-11 iE) National Scenario 12-16 F) Understanding Women,Political Power and State in Goa 16-20 i) Reasons for study 20-22 ii) Objectives of Study 22 iii) Chapter Classification 23-24 iv) Methodology 24 CHAPTER II - WOMEN AS FREEDOM FIGHTERS 25- 51 A) Status of Women in Goa