Goa State Commission for Women

03/03/2026

On the occasion of International Women’s Day and in commemoration of Constitution Day, the Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW), in collaboration with the Goa State Legal Services Authority, District Legal Services Authority, Libra Socio Legal Trust Goa, and Adhivakta Parishad Goa, organized Jansunwai – Free Legal Counselling for the people of South Goa on 02.03.2026 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
The Chairperson, Smt. Ranjita Pai, addressed the gathering and highlighted the significance of organizing the Jansunwai to ensure accessible and timely legal support for women and the public at large.

The programme was inaugurated by Smt. Sulakshana Sawant, Founder of Padmini Foundation. Also present on the occasion were Members of GSCW — Dr. Vrinda Borkar, Dr. Jyoti Sawant, Smt. Ketaki Parob Gadekar, Adv. Siddhi Parodkar, and Adv. Deepali Kare.

03/03/2026

Goa State Commission for Women felicitated distinguished women on the occasion of International Women’s Day in recognition of their outstanding contributions in their respective fields. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment continue to inspire society and empower other women.
The awardees included Smt. Pratima Dhond, President of GCCI, Smt. Deepali Naik, Project Director, DRDA South, Ms. Juliana Lohar, Deputy Director, ARZ, Smt. Asha Arondekar, President of ABWCI and Founder of Global to Local, and Ms. Reema Naik, Police Inspector and In-charge of Pink Force.

03/03/2026

Glimpses of the Valedictory Function on the occasion of International Women’s Day, organised by the Goa State Commission for Women in collaboration with the Directorate of Women and Child Development and the District Rural Development Agency (South), held at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Goa.
The Guest of Honour, Smt. Sulakshana Sawant, Founder of Padmini Foundation, addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment, encouraging women to strive for leadership, self-reliance, and equal participation in all spheres of life. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Smt. Deepali Naik, Project Director, DRDA South. The programme was compered by Smt. Siddhi Upadhye.

02/03/2026

Goa State Commission for Women, in collaboration with the Directorate of Women & Child Development and District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) South, celebrated International Women’s Day at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Goa.
Chairperson Smt. Ranjita Pai welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of celebrating International Women’s Day and strengthening collective efforts towards women’s empowerment.
The programme was graced by Chief Guest Shri. Digamber Kamat, Hon’ble PWD Minister, Government of Goa and MLA of Margao Constituency; Guest of Honour Smt. Sulakshana Sawant, Founder, Padmini Foundation; Special Invitee Shri. Ulhas Tuenkar, Chairman, Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited and MLA of Navelim Constituency, Smt. Pratima Dhond, President, Goa Chamber of Commerce, Industry (GCCI) Smt. Deepali Naik, Project Director, DRDA South; and Members of Goa State Commission for Women — Dr. Vrinda Borkar, Dr. Jyoti Sawant, Smt. Ketaki Gadekar, Adv. Siddhi Parodkar and Adv. Deepali Kare.
The programme featured informative sessions by eminent resource persons:
• Smt. Sonali Patankar, Founder, Responsible Netism – Session on Cyber Safety
• Dr. Maria Goretti Simoes, Principal, Kare College of Law – Session on Women’s Rights
• Dr. Sobhita Kirtani, Head of Department, Psychology, Parvatibai Chowgule College – Session on Mental Wellness
The event commenced with the National Song Vande Mataram by Ms. Aditi Damle, followed by a vibrant dance performance by the Self-Help Group of Sancole Village. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Smt. Deepali Naik, Project Director, DRDA South.

27/02/2026

24/02/2026

Goa State Commission for Women in collaboration with the Kundaim Industrial Estate Association, Madkaim Industrial Estate Association, and Khorlim Industrial Estate Association, organised an awareness programme on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013 for the Presiding Officers, Members of the respective Internal Committees of the Industrial Development Corporations (IDCs), and staff members on 24.02.2026 at Kundaim Association Bhavan, Kundaim Goa.

Chairperson Smt. Ranjita Pai conducted an insightful session highlighting the key provisions of the POSH Act, roles and responsibilities of Internal Committees, and the importance of ensuring safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces. The session emphasized awareness, sensitivity, and collective responsibility in preventing workplace harassment and promoting gender equality.

Present for the same Shri. Sohan Kelekar, President, Marcaim Industrial Estate Association, Shri. Sandesh Dhareshwar, President, Kundaim Industrial Estate Association and others.

24/02/2026

Chairperson of GSCW Smt Ranjita Pai attended awareness programme on Anti-Human Trafficking organised by Railway Protection Force in collaboration with National Commission for Women on 23.02.2026 at Margao Goa.

The dignitaries present were Ms. Delina Khongdup, Member, NCW, Sh. Ram Avtar, Dy. Director, NCW, and Sh. Aniket-JTE, Shri. Arun Pandey, Director ARZ, Shri. Yash Mishra, Regional Security Commissioner, Railway Protection Force, Konkan Railway, Madgaon and others.

23/02/2026

Chairperson of GSCW, Smt. Ranjita Pai, was honoured to be invited as a Jury Member for the Lokmat Goan of the Year Awards 2026, held on 21st February 2026 at Kala Academy, Panaji. The prestigious event recognized outstanding individuals from Goa who have made remarkable contributions in various fields, celebrating excellence, dedication and inspiring achievements.

GSCW extended heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees for their exceptional accomplishments and appreciated their inspiring efforts towards the progress and development of society.

21/02/2026

Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW), Smt. Ranjita Pai, attended the inaugural programme of the P.M. Vishwakarma Exhibition-cum-Sale organised by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and supported by Consumers Shoppee. The exhibition was inaugurated at the hands of Hon’ble Minister Shri. Digamber Kamat. The event, aimed at promoting traditional artisans and local entrepreneurship under the P.M. Vishwakarma initiative, is being held from 18th February to 22nd February at SGPDA Ground, Margao, Goa.

17/02/2026

Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Women, Smt. Ranjita Pai, was invited as the Chief Guest for the TechShe Programme organised by the Women’s Wing of the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry in association with the Ubuntu Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs Association. The programme focused on “Basic and Advanced Digital Transformation Training” and was held today at the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall.

The distinguished dignitaries present were Smt. K. Ratnaprabha, IAS, Former Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka and Founder President of the Ubuntu Consortium for Women, Pratima Dhond, President, GCCI, Sandra Fernandes, Chairperson, GCCI Women’s Wing; Poonam Ajgaonkar, Co-Chair, GCCI Women’s Wing, Deepali Gotadke, Founder and Owner of WebDreams, India, Jyothi Balkrishna, along with other esteemed participants.

The programme aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and professionals by enhancing their digital skills and promoting adoption of digital transformation for sustainable business growth.

17/02/2026

After embracing motherhood, many women return to the workplace only to find that their responsibilities have been reassigned, their promotion prospects curtailed, and their growth trajectory slowed.

For maternity benefits Act to truly succeed, empathy must be embedded into organisational culture and leadership behaviour. The workplaces must foster an environment where ambition and motherhood coexist with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity.

Do read my article in the prestigious "The Indian Express".

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/maternity-benefit-act-is-progressive-but-laws-alone-arent-enough-10534036/
Narendra Modi Annapurna Devi
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