Event Start Date: June 19, 2025

Event End Date: June 20, 2025

Event Venue: Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim, Goa, India

 

 

VAWG Workshop at Goa

The Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi, with support from the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, is conducting a nationwide study titled “Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms Combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)” in India. The project aims to assess the current landscape of VAWG, identify key challenges and policy gaps, and propose strategies to strengthen institutional responses. Through a multifaceted campaign, it will engage stakeholders—including civil society, NGOs, law enforcement, the judiciary, and community groups—to enhance coordination, share best practices, and promote effective, sustainable approaches to prevention, response, and recovery.

 

As part of its engagement efforts, CPPR organized a two-day workshop on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Goa on June 19–20, 2025, in collaboration with the Goa State Women’s Commission. The VAWG Workshop at Goa brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss institutional gaps and challenges, share cross-sectoral insights, and explore localised strategies to strengthen responses to VAWG. Designed as an interactive platform, it featured expert-led sessions, knowledge exchange, and activity-oriented discussions that delve into the technical dimensions of VAWG while encouraging collaboration among practitioners and beneficiaries.

 

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AGENDA

 

Thursday, June 19, 2025

9:30 a.m. — Registration

10:30 a.m. — Inaugural Ceremony

• • Welcome Remarks:  Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman CPPR
  • Introductory Remarks:  Smt Ranjita Pai, Chairperson, Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW)
  • Guest of Honour: Smt Delilah Lobo, MLA Siolim Constituency, and Member of GSCW
  • Vote of Thanks: Anu Maria Francis, Senior Associate, Research and Project Management, CPPR

11:30 a.m. — Tea Break

11:45 p.m. — Introduction to the Project and Research Findings by CPPR  

Anu Maria Francis, Senior Associate, Research and Project Management, CPPR

12.00 p.m. —Session 1 : Expert Views on Institutional Challenges in Combating VAWG in Goa  

Speaker : Adv Albertina Almeida, Lawyer and Independent Researcher (based in Goa)

12.20 p.m. — Q & A 

12.30 p.m. — Lunch Break 

1:15 p.m. Group Discussions on Thematic Areas 

• • Group 1: Institutional Capacity Challenges 
  • Group 2: Improving upon Complicated Processes leading to Revictimisation of Women/Enhancing Trust in the Governmental Processes 
  • Group 3 :Strengthening of Interdepartmental and External Collaboration and Coordination
  • Group 4 :Strengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism
  • Group 5: Legal Bottlenecks and Reforms

2:30 p.m. — Group Work Presentation on Thematic Areas 

3.15 p.m. — Coffee Break

3.30 p.m — Critical Feedback and Comments by Experts 

1. 1. Adv Audrey D’Mello, Director, Majlis Legal Centre, Mumbai
   2. Dr Padma Deosthali , Senior Director, ICRW 
   3. Dr Shaila Desouza, Professor of Women’s Studies, Goa University 

4.15 p.m. — Session 2 : US Best Practices in combating VAWG (Online Session)

Speaker : Dr Sujata Warrier, Chief Strategy Officer, Battered Women’s Justice Project, USA

5.15 p.m. —  Day 1 Concludes

Friday, June 20, 2025

9:00 a.m. — Registration opens

9:45 a.m. — Day 1 Recap

Anu Maria Francis, Senior Associate ,Research and Project Management, CPPR

10:00 a.m. — Session 1: Strengthening Institutional Governance – Tool Kit for Improving Processes and Outcomes 

Speaker : Prof U Vindhya, Former Professor of Psychology and Deputy Director with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad 

11.00 a.m. — Coffee Break 

11:15 a.m. — Session 2:  “Institutional Mechanisms combating cyber crimes against women and girls – An India US Comparative Outlook”

Speaker : P Prakash IPS, Inspector General of Police, SCRB, Kerala Police

12:30 p.m. — Lunch Break 

1.30 p.m. — Session 3: “Protective Home in Goa”

Speaker : Mrs Sumedha Belokar, Apna Ghar, Merces, Goa

2.00 p.m. —  Session 4: “Cyber Wellness for Women and Girls” 

Speaker : Smt Sonali Patankar, Founder-CEO, Responsible Netism

2:30 p.m. — Session 5 : Panel Discussion: Safe Goa, Strong Women: Co-creating Policies for a Violence-Free Goa

Panellists:

1. 1. Justice Bharat P Deshpande, Former Judge, Mumbai High Court
   2. Shri Rahul Gupta, IPS, SP Crimes, Goa
   3. Dr Aldina Braganza, Officiating Principal, HOD, Department of Psychology, Carmel College of Arts, Science and Commerce for Women
   4. Dr Maria Goretti Simoes, Officiating Principal, Kare College of Law
   5. Shri Arunendra Pandey, Director, ARZ NGO, Goa

Moderator: Adv Siddhi Parodkar, Member of Goa State Women Commission

3.45 p.m. — Evening Tea 

4.00 p.m. — Session 6 : Topic : US Best Institutional Practices in Health combatting VAWG (Online Session)

Speaker:  Dr Anita Raj,  Executive Director, Newcomb Institute of Tulane University, Nancy Reeves Dreux Endowed Chair, USA

5:00 p.m. — Concluding Session

Concluding Remarks by Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman, CPPR

Vote of Thanks by CPPR and Goa State Women Commission

Day 2 Workshop Concludes

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PRESS RELEASES

English Press Release

Marathi Press Release

 

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