MORJIM GRAM SABHA RESOLVES TO ABOLISH DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WIDOWS

Pernem taluka has become a model for the entire State to abolish old practices which could deter the dignity and self respect of women. Now, Morjim villagers have come together to abolish old practices against widows. The Morjim gram sabha held on Sunday passed a resolution to end this practice.

 After Korgao and Dhargal panchayats from Pernem taluka, Morjim became the third panchayat to abolish the practices against widows after the funeral of the husband. After the death of the husband, rituals are carried out on the wife to declare her widow and later isolating her from social and religious functions.

The Panchayat passed a resolution to protect the honor of the widow after husband’s death. The women should be treated equally with other women, the gram sabha resolved.

Now, the question is, this revolution sparked against old-age practices against widows in up north part of Goa would spread to other parts of Goa too and totally diminishing the age old practice giving the widow its dignity and self-respect as women.

As panchayats are taking these initiatives, questions are asked will the Goa government enact a legislation to ban this practice.