While Goa is famous for sun-kissed beaches and vibrant festivals, something far more powerful has been unfolding across its villages and towns in recent years: a silent yet unstoppable women’s revolution led by Minister for Women & Child Development, Vishwajit Rane. For him, Nari Shakti is not a political slogan; it is the very foundation on which a modern, inclusive and Viksit Goa is being built.
A Safety Net That Never Sleeps
The first promise Vishwajit Rane made was simple: no woman in Goa should ever feel alone in crisis. Today, the 24×7 Women Helpline rings constantly, and Mission Shakti One-Stop Centres (Sakhi Nirbhaya Centres) stand ready in multiple locations. A survivor of domestic violence, trafficking or harassment walks in and finds everything under one roof – police assistance, medical examination, psychological counselling, legal aid, temporary shelter and rehabilitation support. These centres have become sanctuaries of hope, handling hundreds of cases with sensitivity and speed, restoring dignity and justice to women who once had nowhere to turn.
From Housewives to Entrepreneurs: The SHG Revolution
Since 2023, Vishwajit Rane has personally overseen the creation of more than 700 new Self-Help Groups across Goa – from the remotest hamlets of Sattari to the coastal belts of Salcete and Mormugao. These are not just savings circles; they are engines of economic transformation. Women who once managed only household budgets now run successful micro-enterprises: spice processing units, cashew roasting businesses, bakery collectives, boutique tailoring, eco-friendly product lines and homestay networks tied to rural tourism. With easy micro-credit, government-backed marketing support and continuous skill workshops, these groups have turned thousands of ordinary women into confident entrepreneurs whose earnings are lifting entire families out of poverty.
Palna Ghar: Giving Wings to Working Mothers
One of the biggest barriers for women entering the workforce has always been childcare. Vishwajit Rane removed that barrier completely by establishing Palna Ghar crèches in all nine talukas. Clean, safe, affordable and professionally staffed, these day-care centres allow mothers to step out for jobs, start businesses or pursue higher education knowing their little ones are in caring hands. From teachers and nurses to beauticians and tourist guides, countless Goan women now balance motherhood and ambition – something that was nearly impossible just a few years ago.
Celebrating Daughters: The Goa Mamta Promise
In a society where the girl child is sometimes still seen as a burden, Vishwajit Rane sent an unmistakable message: every daughter is a treasure. Under the Goa Mamta scheme, every family receives ₹10,000 directly when a girl child is born. This financial celebration of daughters is changing mindsets at the grassroots, reducing gender bias and ensuring families welcome girls with joy instead of worry.
Dignity in Difficult Times: Support for Widows
Losing a husband can push a family into despair, especially when young children are involved. Vishwajit Rane streamlined and strengthened the widow assistance scheme to provide ₹4,000 every month to widows with children below 21 years of age. This steady support has prevented countless families from sliding into destitution and given women the breathing space to rebuild their lives.
The Money That Backs the Promise
Words are easy; budgets are hard proof. In 2023-24 alone, Vishwajit Rane ensured an allocation of over ₹126 crore exclusively for women and child welfare programmes – covering the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, Ujjawala anti-trafficking initiatives, crèche expansion and SHG strengthening. This is one of the highest per-capita investments in women’s welfare anywhere in the country.
The Bigger Picture: When Women Rise, Goa Rises
Vishwajit Rane’s vision goes beyond schemes on paper. He sees empowered women as the strongest guarantee of a prosperous Goa – mothers who educate their children better, entrepreneurs who create jobs, community leaders who solve local problems, and voters who demand accountability. From village panchayats to tourism cooperatives, from health awareness drives to environmental conservation efforts, women shaped by these initiatives are now at the forefront of every positive change in the state.
In just a few years, Vishwajit Rane has rewritten what is possible for women in Goa. Safety, economic freedom, childcare support, celebration of daughters, dignity for widows and massive financial backing – this is Nari Shakti in action. And when women stand tall, Goa stands taller.
