Correia says Comunidade system should also be for daughters of the soil

MARGAO: Against the backdrop of the Comunidade Convention 2024 that was held on Sunday, where the suggestion to amend the Comunidade Code for greater gender inclusivity met with uncertainty and the fate of this proposal, which faced opposition during the discussion, remains in question.

Savio Correia, who was the moderator and member of the Convention’s Organising Committee, criticized the manner in which this suggestion was put down and also how the four women delegates, out of the 170-odd delegates, were indirectly heckled while putting forward their points of view.

Stating that this was his personal opinion, Correia emphasized the urgency of implementing the proposed amendment to address and end discrimination against women, stressing that it’s a relevant step for 21st-century Goa. He hoped that the Convention tabling this discussion for a future date does not mean it is postponed indefinitely but that it happens sooner rather than later.

Correia underscored the importance of recognizing women’s rights, expressing dismay at objections rooted in outdated gender roles and he further pointed out that one such insulting comment had to be expunged from the records.

“Why should it only be sons of the soil and not daughters of the soil too? Their rights are being recognized elsewhere too, and rightly so. This was the only low point of the Convention,” Correia added.

It may be recalled that during the Convention, Maria Lina da Gama Martins, the Attorney of Verna Comunidade and the first woman to be elected as the Verna Communidade’s attorney had suggested an amendment seeking gender-neutral membership entitlements for all descendants of Gaunkars.

As per Article 20 of the Code of Comunidades only male descendants are entitled for membership in certain comunidades while in some others membership is decided based on holding of shares.   Martins has sought the following amendments- (1) That in part 1 of Art 20 of Code of Comunidade, “and their male descendants by male lineage” be dropped and amended with “and their descendants by lineage.”

(2) That all descendants of Gaunkars, irrespective of gender, be entitled to receive Zonn from their respective Comunidade. The proposal was objected to by some members.

Those backing this amendment were also of the view that this could help with the future of Comunidades too.

Incidentally, Martins was the first woman to be elected as the attorney of Verna Comunidade.