THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
APRIL 9, 2026
National Commission
for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar lauded the Odisha Government’s
proactive approach and robust institutional mechanisms ensuring women’s safety,
security, and empowerment during a high-level review meeting held on Thursday
at Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar.
The meeting, attended
by senior officials of the Government of Odisha, including Chief Secretary Anu
Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of Home, Industry and I&PR Departments,
Director General of Police, and Secretaries from the Agriculture & FE
Department, Mission Shakti, SSEPD, Higher Education, School & Mass
Education, and SC & ST Development Departments, reviewed the state’s
progress in implementing women-centric programmes. District Collectors and
officials from across Odisha also participated through video conferencing.
Detailed
presentations were made by the Women & Child Development Department,
Mission Shakti Department, and Home Department, showcasing Odisha’s
comprehensive and convergent strategy to promote women’s empowerment, safety,
and welfare.
The Chief Secretary
highlighted the state’s key initiatives and achievements, including programmes
such as Subhadra, Lakhpati Didi, Mission Shakti Cafes, POSHAN, creche services,
PMMVY, women-centric skill development programmes, and various entitlements
being delivered across departments.
In her keynote
address, Vijaya Rahatkar appreciated the Government of Odisha for its strong
institutional mechanisms and proactive initiatives in ensuring women’s safety
and security. She also lauded the success of SUBHADRA Scheme and Lakhpati Didi
initiative under Mission Shakti, highlighting their role in promoting women’s
economic independence and leadership.
The Chairperson
commended Odisha’s innovative initiatives, particularly the Shakti App
developed in collaboration with UNFPA, which facilitates a technology-driven
and coordinated response to gender-based violence cases, and emphasized the
need to further strengthen such systems. She also appreciated programmes like
ADVIKA and the efforts of the Higher Education Department “SHAKTISHREE” in
empowering adolescents and young women.
She emphasized the
need to expedite the disposal of pending trafficking and other gender-based
violence (GBV) cases to ensure timely justice and stronger response mechanisms
at all levels. Stressing the importance of effective implementation of the POSH
Act and other protective laws for women, she called for continued
inter-departmental convergence at both state and district levels.
She emphasized “Tere
Mere Sapne”, a Pre-Marital Communication Centre for a harmonious marriage and
family wellbeing should be established in every district under the leadership
of District Collectors.
The meeting
reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to ensuring that every woman lives with safety,
dignity, and equal opportunities for growth and empowerment.
