Bhubaneswar, July 17: The Odisha government has issued a directive to all District Education Officers (DEOs) to take immediate action to enhance the safety and well-being of women employees and ensure a secure environment for students, especially girls, in schools.
In an official letter, the School and Mass Education Department highlighted the importance of enforcing the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. DEOs have been tasked with overseeing the formation or reconstitution of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in all eligible institutions within their jurisdictions.
The directive also stressed the importance of fostering a safe and supportive atmosphere in schools that promotes the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students. A special focus has been placed on advancing gender equity through the BARNALI (Gender Equity Programme), which aims to instill positive gender norms among students, teachers, and parents.
The department has mandated the integration of the BARNALI curriculum into the Social Studies syllabus in all elementary and secondary schools across the state.
To ensure access to support services, DEOs must also make sure that the following helpline numbers are prominently displayed in all schools, workplaces, and residential hostels:
Women Helpline – 181
Child Helpline – 1098
Police Emergency Response (ERSS) – 112
School Student Helpline – 1800 345 6722
These measures are part of a broader effort to create safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments throughout Odisha.
