Bhubaneswar, April 9: A high-level review meeting was convened today at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar attended by Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women. The meeting focused on evaluating the Government of Odisha’s progress and initiatives related to women’s safety, security, and empowerment.

Senior officials from the state government attended the meeting, including Chief Secretary Anu Garg, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), the Director General of Police, and Secretaries from key departments such as Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Mission Shakti, SSEPD, Higher Education, School & Mass Education, and SC & ST Development. District Collectors and other district-level officials joined the session via video conferencing.

Comprehensive presentations were delivered by the Women & Child Development Department, Mission Shakti Department, and Home Department, showcasing Odisha’s integrated and multi-sectoral approach toward advancing women’s empowerment and ensuring their safety.

The Chief Secretary highlighted several flagship initiatives and achievements of the state, including programmes like Subhadra, Lakhpati Didi, Mission Shakti Cafés, POSHAN, crèche services, PMMVY, and various women-centric skill development and welfare schemes being implemented across departments.

Vijaya Rahatkar commended the Government of Odisha for its strong institutional framework and proactive efforts in safeguarding women. She particularly praised the success of the Subhadra Scheme and the Lakhpati Didi initiative under Mission Shakti, noting their role in fostering women’s economic independence and leadership.

She also appreciated innovative initiatives such as the Shakti App, developed in collaboration with UNFPA, which facilitates a technology-driven and coordinated response to gender-based violence cases. Additionally, she acknowledged programmes like ADVIKA and the Higher Education Department’s “Shaktishree” initiative for empowering adolescent girls and young women.

Rahatkar stressed the importance of expediting the disposal of pending trafficking and gender-based violence cases to ensure timely justice. She further emphasized the need for effective implementation of the POSH Act and other laws protecting women, along with sustained inter-departmental coordination at both state and district levels.

She also proposed establishing “Tere Mere Sapne” pre-marital communication centres in every district, under the leadership of District Collectors, to promote harmonious marriages and family well-being.