Dr Sabina Martins elaborates on championing women’s rights and social justice through education and grassroots activism
Dr Sabina Martins is an educator and activist, recognized for her pivotal role as the founder of Bailancho Saad. She has significantly influenced national campaigns aimed at shaping policies and legislation concerning women’s rights. Her educational journey began at St. Joseph’s Convent in Jabalpur, where her father worked, and continued in Goa, where she completed her secondary education at St. Anthony’s High School in Majorda.
Dr Sabina’s childhood memories are shaped by experiences in both urban Jabalpur and rural Goa. “In Jabalpur, the vibrant Goan community and social gatherings enriched my upbringing. Our home in Nuvem was a hub for local children to study, and my sisters and I excelled academically. After completing our homework, we would play in the nearby orchard and fields,” she recalls.
As a top student, Dr Sabina pursued an academic career, earning her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Smt. Pravatibai Chowgule College, Margao; and a Master’s in Physical Chemistry from the Centre for Post Graduate and Instruction Research in Panjim. She later obtained her B.Ed. from Nirmala Institute in Panjim and initially aspired to pursue a Ph.D. and study law. “My advisor recommended that I complete my law degree first, offering to guide my Ph.D. later if I remained interested,” she says. Following this guidance, she earned her L.L.B. from V.M. Salgaocar College of Law and subsequently her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Goa University.
Dr Sabina’s background in chemistry profoundly informs her teaching philosophy. “Chemistry has equipped me with essential skills such as observation, analytical thinking, and logical reasoning, all of which enhance my teaching.” However, she faces challenges in maintaining student attention, particularly after strenuous subjects or physical education classes. To combat this, she uses key points on the board and interactive questioning to engage students, refraining from assigning homework unless necessary.
As an advocate for women’s rights, Dr Sabina founded Bailancho Saad to address issues affecting women. She recalls her college experience, where she noticed a lack of organisations willing to tackle individual cases concerning women’s issues. Even within the Progressive Students Union, issues like sexual harassment were often overlooked. Dr Sabina proposed creating a women’s wing, but faced resistance, particularly from male members concerned about divisiveness.
She encountered similar challenges in other groups, such as Citizens for Civil Liberties, where discussions often prioritised civil liberties over women’s concerns. Recognizing this gap, she took the initiative to form a dedicated women’s organisation, building consensus among women from diverse backgrounds as the women’s movement in India gained momentum.
Bailancho Saad was officially launched on October 12, 1986, despite skepticism regarding its longevity. “We aimed to evolve organically, opting for a non-hierarchical structure that emphasised collective functioning and avoided funding from government sources or industries like tobacco and alcohol,” she states.
Dr Sabina takes pride in several significant achievements as an activist. One notable initiative was a door-to-door campaign titled ‘No to Women Beating’ in Siolim village, where women expressed gratitude for having someone to listen to their concerns.
Balancing her dual roles as an educator and activist has been a careful exercise in time management for Dr Sabina. “Activism often occurs after work and on holidays, while teaching can encroach on personal time. I prioritise responsibilities, especially during exam periods,” she explains. Even after retiring, she continues to navigate the challenge of finding personal time.
Since founding Bailancho Saad, Dr Sabina has witnessed significant policy changes. “We successfully placed gender issues on the public agenda, advocating for the extension of the Dowry Prohibition Act to Goa, which was a crucial step we brought to the government’s attention in 1986. Our advocacy efforts also contributed to the Goa State Commission for Women Act and the Goa Children’s Act, alongside central legislations such as the Domestic Violence Prevention Act and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act,” she explains.
Bailancho Saad was instrumental in establishing Goa’s first all-women police station after a decade of advocacy. Initially, the government dismissed the need for such a facility, arguing that crimes against women were minimal. However, activists highlighted the unrecorded nature of many crimes, prompting persistent demands through meetings, memoranda, and annual protests.
Despite government budgetary constraints, when the Central government launched a scheme for a counseling center at the women’s police station, Bailancho Saad proposed the initiative to the state government. The search for a location for the police station proved challenging, eventually leading to a ward in the old Goa Medical College hospital in Campal. Activists cleaned and furnished the space, creating a welcoming environment for women and children.
To secure funding for the counseling center, the All India Women’s Conference, Goa branch, applied, while the Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW) was established, albeit initially without staff or an office. A significant study titled ‘Cognisance of Non-Cognisance,’ authored by Dr Sabina, revealed numerous unregistered crimes against women.
Following a pivotal meeting, the Inspector General of Police agreed to propose the establishment of a full-fledged women’s police station. Ultimately, the station was notified and housed within the police station complex, although with minimal staffing. Over time, the station’s capacity expanded into the Woman and Child Protection Unit, which also incorporated an Anti-Human Trafficking Cell. Counseling services were relocated to Junta House in Panaji, where the GSCW established a limited office space.
After her retirement this year, Dr Sabina has taken on the role of subject expert for translating chemistry terminology into Konkani, as part of a project by the Commission for Scientific Terms and Technical Terminology and the Department of Education in New Delhi.
Dr Sabina identifies the erosion of women’s rights as a pressing challenge. She notes that systems meant to protect women have become inefficient, with monitoring mechanisms weakening and an increase in derogatory advertisements, addiction promotion, and exploitation without adequate protections for women. “The lack of accessible counseling and support centers is a significant concern,” she adds.
As socio-economic conditions change, Dr Sabina emphasises the need for updated mechanisms to uphold women’s dignity and human rights. She is particularly focused on sustainable development, energy, and women empowerment, advocating for women and communities to participate actively in development planning at the Panchayat and municipal levels.
As the Convenor of Goa Bachao Abhiyan, a network dedicated to protecting Goa’s land and promoting sustainable development, Dr Sabina is committed to these goals, working alongside her efforts at Bailancho Saad.
Bailancho Saad’s initiatives are driven by grassroots input, with a focus on changing societal mindsets to prevent violence against women. “When passionate volunteers engage, it infuses new energy into our efforts,” she states. The organisation undertakes various social campaigns aimed at promoting legal safeguards against discrimination and exploitation of women, as well as advocating for equal rights within the Communidade.
Dr Sabina emphasises that the responsibility for enacting change must be shared among all genders. “Integrating the right gender perspective into education and co-curricular activities is essential. Stereotypical roles often undermine the rights women have fought to achieve,” she asserts.
