A daylong awareness programme on family counselling was held by the Indian Red Cross Society Odisha State Branch at Saliasahi, the biggest slum of Bhubaneswar. It was held by involving local residents, including adolescent girls, women leaders and volunteers.
The programme was inaugurated by Red Cross Society branch Honorary Secretary Dr Mangala Prasad Mohanty while Under Secretary Apramita Mishra and local corporator Basanti Singh were the guests of honour.
Dr Mohanty said, “A woman bears almost all the responsibilities to meet all the needs of the family; yet often women are denied the resources, information and freedom they need to fulfil this responsibilities.”
He said the vast majority of the world’s poor are women. Two-thirds of the world’s illiterates are female. Millions of school age children are not in school, most of them being girls. The current world food crisis is having a severe impact on women. These women are already suffering the effects of even more severe malnutrition, which inevitably would be their children’s fate as well. The impact of this crisis would continue for many years. He informed all present to take the benefit of family counselling and other community welfare programmes of the Red Cross.
Apramita Mishra explained the Red Cross’ role and the objective of its Family Counselling Centre. Basanti Singh said the Red Cross’ role has been very instrumental in Odisha, especially in humanitarian activities. The programme was coordinated by counsellors Bijaya laxmi Kar and Rupashri Dora, They discussed various issues relating to family counselling including dowry torture, extramarital affairs, economic crisis, mental illness and interference of in-laws.