Migrant and Adivasi Women in Goa Combine Legal Awareness with Sports and Fellowship

NAGOA-VERNA, Goa, August 31, 2026: Migrant and Adivasi women from across Goa came together on August 30 for a day of spiritual reflection, legal awareness, sports and community fellowship organised by Kiran Niketan Social Centre in collaboration with Goa Jesuit Social Action.

The day-long programme was held at Our Lady of Succour and Good Success Church and the grounds of St Joseph Convent High School, Nagoa-Verna. Led by Kiran Niketan Social Centre Directress Sr Jeryssa Pereira and Sr Lourenca Marques, the initiative brought together women from different migrant and Adivasi communities, combining faith formation with awareness of legal rights and opportunities for sports and social interaction.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Joseph Nazareth, SJ. In his homily, he encouraged the women to listen attentively to the Word of God, remain steadfast in the face of life’s challenges, and carry their crosses with courage.

Drawing attention to the sacrifices and resilience of migrant and Adivasi women, Fr Nazareth highlighted service, perseverance and faith as values reflected in their daily lives. Referring to St Monica's persistent prayer for her son, St Augustine, he urged the participants to serve others with humility and place their trust in God.

An interactive legal awareness session followed, led by Adv. Sayonara Telles-Laad, former District and Sessions Judge and founder and president of Beyond Barriers – Towards Hope.

She spoke to the participants about their legal rights and discussed child protection provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, procedures followed by Children's Courts, access to free legal aid and safeguards available under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act in workplaces.

The programme later moved to the St Joseph Convent High School grounds for the Women's Migrants Throwball Tournament and a tiebreaker match.

Seven teams representing migrant and Adivasi communities and the Holy Family Sisters took part in the competition. The participants represented communities from Consua, Verna, Cansaulim, Velsao, Sancoale, Panjim and Dona Paula.

The Velsao Group emerged champions of the throwball tournament, while the Verna Group finished as runners-up. In the tiebreaker competition, the Sancoale Group secured the trophy, with the Holy Family Sisters taking the runners-up position.

Sr Berna Rodrigues, SFN, Superior General of the Holy Family Sisters, Fr Joseph Nazareth, SJ, Nathan Menezes and other guests witnessed the matches and encouraged the participants. The guests commended the women's enthusiasm and participation throughout the programme.

The initiative offered migrant and Adivasi women a common platform for spiritual renewal, legal education and sports, while strengthening community bonds among women from different parts of Goa.

By Sr. Molly Fernandes