Moira Legal Aid Cell – Awareness on Domestic Violence (Prevention)

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