Mahila Congress Seeks Concrete Safety for Women on Night Shifts
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress President Dr. Pratiksha Khalap has raised strong concerns over the state government’s June 23 notification allowing women to work night shifts from 7pm to 6am. While welcoming the move for gender equality, she warned that without proper safety mechanisms, it risks becoming token empowerment.
Dr. Khalap demanded clear policies on safe transportation, GPS-tracked vehicles with security staff, mandatory workplace CCTVs, street lighting, and Pink Force night patrolling near casinos, hotels, and hospitals. She also questioned whether companies would deduct transport costs from women’s salaries or if government subsidies would be provided.
She called for women to be employed in groups, informed of their rights, and protected under whistleblower provisions. A distress helpline or app, workplace compliance committees, and bi-annual audits were also proposed.
State General Secretary Adv. Lavinia Da Costa and Panaji Mahila Block President Eslinda Gonsalves joined the demand, stressing that safety must precede implementation of night shifts for women.
