Bhubaneswar: In a landmark move to prioritize the safety and empowerment of young women, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today unveiled the “Shaktii Shree Program,” a comprehensive initiative designed to create a secure environment across higher education institutions in Odisha.
This revolutionary program, a testament to the government’s commitment to public interest, welfare, and development, is set to be implemented in 16 universities and 730 government and aided colleges under the Higher Education Department.
Speaking on the launch, Chief Minister Shri Majhi reiterated his government’s “non-negotiable policy for the safety and dignity of women,” emphasizing the need to curb atrocities against women, particularly in academic settings.
The “Shaktii Shree Program” comes as a direct response to recent distressing incidents involving students in various colleges and universities, aiming to prevent similar occurrences and ensure students’ security.
The program, envisioned as a crucial step towards a prosperous Odisha (as per the framework prepared under provisions 336 and 347), encompasses eight pivotal aspects:
- Shakti Shree Empowerment Cell: Every college and university will establish a permanent, student-run “Shakti Shree Empowerment Center.” This center will be managed by a student “Shakti Shree Saathi” and a teacher “Shakti Shree Coordinator.” Additionally, five “Shakti Apaa” (working women selected by the District Magistrate) will serve as mentors, visiting institutions quarterly. The center will focus on security and empowerment for students, teachers, and women employees, organizing “Bhab Dey Training Programs” to provide self-protection training, legal rights information, and mental health education in batches.
- Shakti Shree Mobile App: A new mobile application, “Shakti Shree App,” will be introduced to enhance campus safety. The app will provide students with information on Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs), their rules, and contact details. Students can confidentially register complaints via text, audio, or video, which will be directly submitted to the ICC Chairman. The app also offers direct access to mental health specialists and integrates with the Government of India’s Tele-MANAS scheme for stress and anxiety support. An SOS button will connect students directly with Shakti Shree Saathis and Coordinators for immediate assistance. Furthermore, details of local committees in different districts will be available, allowing students to escalate complaints if not resolved by the college ICC. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding this will be issued soon by the Higher Education Department.
- Special Code of Conduct for Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff: A special code of conduct will be enforced for all teaching and non-teaching staff. They will undergo mandatory annual online training modules to enhance awareness regarding women’s safety, gender sensitivity, and professional ethics.
- SAFE Campaign: The “Shakti Shree Actions for Female Empowerment” (SAFE) campaign will be organized to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. This campaign will include self-protection training camps and awareness drives on women’s safety and rights, conducted twice a year.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the “Shakti Shree Program” will play a vital role in fostering a secure academic atmosphere, providing self-defense training, promoting student empowerment, and contributing to their holistic growth.
This initiative underscores the Odisha government’s unwavering dedication to protecting the personal rights and dignity of all citizens, especially ensuring the safety and security of women in their pursuit of higher education.