NCW Applauds Odisha’s Subhadra Scheme, Mission Shakti Initiatives

Bhubaneswar, April 9: The National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar lauded Odisha’s pioneering initiatives for women’s safety and empowerment during a high‑level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg and attended by senior officials, DGP, secretaries of key departments, and district collectors via video conferencing, highlighted Odisha’s flagship programmes, including the Subhadra Scheme, Lakhpati Didi under Mission Shakti, Mission Shakti Cafes, POSHAN, PMMVY, and skill development initiatives.

Rahatkar praised the state’s robust institutional mechanisms, particularly the Shakti App developed with UNFPA support, which provides tech‑enabled responses to gender‑based violence.

She also commended adolescent empowerment programmes like ADVIKA and SHAKTISHREE.

The NCW urged expedited resolution of trafficking and gender‑based violence cases, stricter enforcement of the POSH Act, and stronger inter‑departmental convergence.

It also recommended establishing “Tere Mere Sapne” Pre‑Marital Communication Centres in every district to promote family wellbeing.

The Odisha Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring women’s dignity, safety, and equal opportunity, with NCW acknowledging the state’s proactive and innovative measures.