On the 25th of February, 2016, the Moira Free Legal Aid
Cell organized their Major programme at the Moira Panchayat Hall, Moira,
Bardez, Goa by bringing Adv. Namrata Shirodkar and Adv. Dola Tulkar, two
associate advocates of Adv. Caroline Colaço to speak to members of a number of
Mahila Mandals and Self Help Groups of the area among others present on the topic
‘Domestic Violence’.
During the course of the previous month, the cell members
with a view on organizing for a resource person to come and speak to the chosen
target group of lower income, rural and marginalized women, on an important
contemporary topic which would benefit them greatly, systematically planned for
this programme. Invitation letters were accordingly sent to 7 different
Mahila Mandals and Self Help Groups from different localities of the villages
of Aldona, Moira and Nachinola through the cell members. At the same time the
general public of these villages were also invited through requested
announcements in the respected Parish Churches.
Around 30 women, mostly
members of Mahila Mandals and Self Help Groups and even some men attended the
program. Also present was Prof. Suchita Timble, the Faculty In-charge of the
Moira Free Legal Aid Cell. The student in-charge Miss. Milena Souza welcomed
the gathering while cell member Miss.
Siddhi Sirsat introduced the speakers for the day.
Adv. Shirodkar spoke
in-depth on ‘THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT 2005’. She
explained the various kinds of domestic violence that is covered by the Act
i.e; Physical, verbal and emotional, sexual and dowry related violence. She
then went on explaining the complaint mechanism introduced by the Act and in
the process describing the complaint authorities and how to fill the Complaint
Form available. For this she brought a complaint form along with her which she
displayed to all. She informed the audience that a complaint under the Act
could be not only be made against the husband but also against the in-laws and
relatives of the husband. She also speak about the remedies available under the
Act which are in the form of Orders by the Court and which she explained in
detail. These are as follows;
a) A protection Order
b) A resident Order
c) An Order prescribing monetary
reliefs
d) An Order of custody i.e. custody of minor children
e) And finally an Order of Compensation.
Adv. Shirodkar, throughout
her talk reiterated the informal set-up of the courts established by the Act
which are extremely people friendly and where the strict use of procedure of
established civil and criminal Courts are not followed and also where the use
of advocates are not required. Finally she spoke a little about the encouraged
use of out of court settling methods which are highly effectible in these kinds
of cases. She also explained the concept of Interim Orders during proceedings
before the final Court Orders.
The two advocates then
clarified various queries put forth by the audience. Adv. Tulkar clarified some
queries about the procedures involved by the Courts and put some light on the
peculiar situation where the Husband is subjected to domestic violence from his
wife. After the two advocates ended
their session, cell member Mr. Kaushal Shetye highlighted about the functioning
of the cell while cell incharge Miss.
Milena Souza divulged some information about the various activities and
programmes conducted by our cell to the
audience present. The Vote of Thanks was proposed by cell member Duhita
Haldankar. The programme concluded within an hour after which refreshments were
served to all present by the cell members. It ended on a happy note due to the
cumulative efforts of all the members of the cell, guided by their Faculty
incharge Mrs. Suchita Timble
