She's no ordinary, run-of-the-bar lawyer. Albertina De Jesus Piedad Almeida tells Ethel DaCosta, the only way to uplift women is to give them a voice.
She's petite. Push her and she could break. In a crowded bus, you could easily miss her for a university student. Her brisk gait is like a person in a tearing hurry to get to her place of work.
But, for those who know Albertina de Jesus Piedade Almeida well, they also know that this diminutive woman can pack a pretty mean punch behind the bench in a crowded court room.
With the recent award from Giants International, Mumbai, for her exceptional social work, Almeida’s crusade to uplift the plight of womankind received a major shot in the arm. However, her fight against gender discrimination is still a long drawn battle she is determined to fight to the finish.

IN HUSHED VOICES

Goa, as the world knows, is a cultural melting pot of language, race, religion and customs. The facade is deceptively pleasant, complete with five-star resorts, sunny beaches and merry locals. But, how free are its women?

Almeida frowns, lips purse, the eyes pierce pointedly through the thick rimmed glasses, at the question. Having spearheaded the dynamic women’s organisation Bailancho Saad since 1986, the courtroom has taught this determined activist-lawyer a great many things. For one, to look beyond uperficial laws that seemingly protect women’s rights in Goa.

“The law is fine, but it is society’s attitude and practices that determine women’s lives. Women, in general, have been socially conditioned not to assert their rights. Despite the fact that the rest of the country thinks that women in Goa are more liberated than elsewhere, I beg to differ.
It is a myth. Goan society looks progressive, but its core is very conservative. I would say Goan society is sophisticated in its conservatism,” Almeida remarks sarcastically.

WALKING THE WRONG ROAD

Being a lawyer, her brushes with the male fraternity are a constant reminder of the fact that women are still at a disadvantage. “Social stereotypes show women functioning on one leg, while expecting to win the race that includes the two-legged males.
We may be born biologically equal, but where are the equal opportunities?” she counter-questions. Rigid mind sets mean that women are constantly struggling to maintain a balance on scales that tip heavily in favour of the male, she explains.

To strengthen her argument further, she cites an incident that occurred whilst researching a project on female infanticide in Goa. “I posed as an expectant mother and was shocked when the doctor in question told me that he could abort the foetus, if I didn’t want a girl.
Of course, after the unsavoury media attention, the malpractices reduced somewhat and the accused doctors went underground. However, incidences are still high in Goa,” she says candidly.

FACADE OF EQUALITY

Almeida also gets edgy when equality is mentioned. It is generally perceived that Goa enjoys an edge over other states in the country, by virtue of the laws laid down as per the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. The UCC gives the right to equal property and marriage rights to all communities.

However, Almeida believes, and quite vehemently, that the Uniform Civil Code does not necessarily translate into uniformity in laws and conduct between the communities. “There is uniformity in discrimination, I can tell you that,” she protests.
To cite an example, the activist elaborates that equal property rights is a much disputed affair in Goa, with more men wanting a bigger piece of the cake. ”A law by itself does not determine the social realities of people,” she asserts, adding, “It is also a misconception that the UCC is responsible for communal harmony amongst the communities. What applies to one, does not necessarily apply to the other, and that’s definitely the case in marriage laws.”

The disharmony seems incongruous in a paradise like Goa. The activist believes that Goa’s image, as touted by the government to the world, is the root cause of the Goan woman’s cup of woes. “We are being projected wrongly at all levels. Women are not considered as a valuable unit at the workplace, or on the street, or in decision making processes. As a result, there is sexual harassment, discrimination in employment, coupled with an increasing number of domestic violence.
And when measuring development, women’s work is not evaluated or considered. Here, the needs of women are secondary, if not non-existent. The government does not bother about issues like alcoholism and gambling that effect women. Even if the women protest, their voices are ignored,” lashes out Almeida.

NO WOMEN HERE

The root of the problem, Almeida asserts, is the undemocratic execution of democracy. “It would be my endeavour to facilitate a democratic functioning at all levels, including the home.”
To start on the right footing, the activist emphasises a complete re-hauling of the system. Also coming under criticism are Goa’s prevailing attitudes and a much needed change in mind sets, beginning with the legislature and judiciary.
She also advocates a breakdown of exploitative and oppressive structures by evolving a way of functioning that addresses situations as they arise. “Agencies that can motivate public opinion will have to channelise their efforts constructively,” she emphasises.

On a personal front, Almeida says, she is making all efforts to move ahead in her chosen vocation, despite the road blocks she encounters for being a career-oriented woman. “The good news is that women in Goa are no longer complacent. They are doing their own bit individually to make themselves visible, and to deal with their problems,” she says, being optimistic.
“Social stereotypes show women functioning on one leg, while expecting to win the race that includes the two-legged males. We may be born biologically equal, but where are the equal opportunities?”