Child safety rarely tops election manifestos because children do not form a vote bank. As women, mothers, sisters, and conscious citizens, we hold the power of the vote, and we must use it to make child protection a non-negotiable political priority, appeals Rajeshree Nagarsekar.
Goa has long been celebrated for its peaceful villages, warm communities, and progressive spirit. However, recent events have shattered this sense of safety. Heartbreaking reports of brutal assaults on young children -- including toddlers in Mapusa and Canacona, along with data showing an alarming rise in crimes against minors, even by police officers themselves, demand an immediate wake-up call.
At EVESCAPE Goa's First Women Media Network, our core mission is to amplify underrepresented voices, challenge harmful patriarchal mindsets, and create a safe space for dialogue and community empowerment. Today, there is no voice more urgent to amplify than that of Goa’s children, both local and migrant, who cannot vote, protest, or speak up for themselves in the corridors of power.
When tragedy strikes, public debates often get sidetracked by blaming "outsiders" or pointing fingers at specific communities. While law enforcement must track offenders strictly, dividing children into "local" and "migrant" categories fails our basic humanity.
Children of migrant workers, living near construction sites, markets, and busy junctions are often the most vulnerable because their parents lack local support networks and safe housing. At the same time, local children face growing risks inside homes, schools, and online spaces. Every child living on Goa's soil deserves the exact same shield of safety, dignity, and justice.
Laws like the Goa Children's Act and the POCSO Act already exist on paper, yet conviction rates remain low and hundreds of cases stay pending for years. Changing this reality requires a renewed, honest pledge from both our society and our institutions. Most crimes against children happen in familiar spaces or are hidden out of fear of social stigma.
Parents, teachers, and neighbors must end victim-blaming, teach children about safe and unsafe touch early, and report abuse immediately without worrying about "family honor."
Employers, builders, and local panchayats must ensure that children of daily-wage and migrant workers have access to Anganwadis, and shelter instead of being left unattended on streets.
Police stations need dedicated, women-led child-friendly desks that act swiftly without intimidating survivors. Fast-track courts must deliver verdicts in months, not years, so criminals fear the law.
Agencies like the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and District Child Protection Units must be given more staff and funds to provide free medical care, trauma counseling, and legal aid to every survivor.
With the 2027 Goa Assembly Elections approaching, political parties are busy drafting promises around jobs, land, infrastructure, and welfare schemes. Yet, child safety rarely tops election manifestos because children do not form a vote bank. As women, mothers, sisters, and conscious citizens, we hold the power of the vote, and we must use it to make child protection a non-negotiable political priority.
Women’s groups, NGOs like SCAN-Goa, educators, and parent associations should come together to publish a clear list of demands and hand it to every political party before campaigns begin. When aspiring MLAs visit your ward or village seeking votes, ask them directly what they will do to improve street lighting, school safety, creche facilities, and police accountability in your constituency. Voters must push parties to commit in writing to regular safety audits of schools, public transport, and construction sites, backed by transparent funding for child welfare.
Media, civic forums, gram sabhas, and community networks must keep the spotlight on child rights long after headlines fade, holding elected leaders accountable to their promises.
A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. True empowerment means building a Goa where every girl and boy can walk, play, learn, and dream without fear. Let us turn our collective grief and anger into organized civic action, ensuring that in 2027 and beyond, the safety of Goa’s children comes before everything else.
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