High Court of Orissa and UNICEF Unite to Safeguard Odisha’s Girls

Cuttack,  – September 13,5:In a landmark move to strengthen child protection in Odisha, the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Orissa High Court, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Department of Women and Child Development, hosted a State-Level Juvenile Justice Consultation at the Odisha Judicial Academy.

Themed “Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India,” the event brought together legal luminaries, policymakers, and child rights advocates.

Chief Justice Harish Tandon inaugurated the consultation, emphasising the urgency of institutional and community-driven efforts to combat child marriage, exploitation, and violence.

He cited key provisions from The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, expressing hope that the sessions would yield actionable reforms.

Justice Savitri Ratho, Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, delivered a powerful address, stating, “When a girl is safe, empowered, and truly free, the world knows real progress.” The event also marked the release of the 2025 edition of Sishu Surakhya, a newsletter dedicated to child protection.

Monisha Benerjee, Director of Women and Child Development, highlighted the systemic challenges faced by girls, calling for a cultural shift to uphold their dignity and rights.

UNICEF Odisha’s Chief, William Hanlon, Jr., described violence against children as a public health crisis and urged cross-sector collaboration.

The consultation concluded with a unified pledge from stakeholders—including judges, police, educators, and health officials—to build a safer, more empowering future for every girl in Odisha.