Goa Launches 'Safety First' Initiative to Empower & Protect Women & Children

By: WE staff | Thursday, 22 May 2025

• Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho launched the "Safety First" campaign
• The launch event was held at Panaji's Kadamba Bus Stand

On Wednesday, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho launched the "Safety First – Empowering and Protecting Women and Children in Goa" initiative at the Kadamba Bus Stand in Panaji, marking a major step to improve public safety. By putting awareness posters and helpline stickers in Kadamba buses, private buses, taxis, and rickshaws across the state, the campaign aims to make travel safer.

The emergency contact details for Child line, women's safety hotlines, Goa Police, and other support networks are conveniently displayed on these stickers for commuters. When taking the bus, taxi, or rickshaw, women should feel safe. "This initiative prioritizes their safety," Minister Godinho stated. "The helpline ensures women know where to turn in times of distress, making it easier to act and reducing such cases," he added, underscoring the need for responsive measures in response to the growing number of incidents in public transportation. Our objective is to completely eradicate these problems.

Goa Police, SCAN-Goa, and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) are working together to carry out the project. It takes a two-stage approach. Installing awareness hoardings on electrical poles throughout Panaji was the first stage. Helpline stickers are being placed at bus stops throughout Goa as part of the second phase, which is presently in progress.

Public awareness is crucial, according to a SCAN-Goa representative, who said, "We receive about 30 cases a month, and many people are still unaware that the police helpline is now 112, not 100." This campaign helps people feel safer when using public transportation by acting as a preventive measure.