An orientation programme for nodal officers of various educational institutions was held here at the Institute on Management of Agricultural Extension (IMAGE) near the campus of Orissa University of Agriculture Technology as part of the Youth Connect Programme in the Smart City.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Smart City limited (BSCl) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organised the event in which 65 institutions of Bhubaneswar participated through their representatives.
There were representatives from Commissionerate Police, Women’s Commission, District Child Protection Unit and Women and Child Welfare Department. These officials talked about the current crime scenario with specific reference to violence against women and the various steps the State Government is taking to address the same.
Resource persons like Mahila Police Station SI Bijayjani Malla and Women’s Commission Member Snehanjali Mohanty spoke at the event. The experts shared various types of crimes being reported in the society.
They also spoke about the legal provisions to safeguard the rights of girls and women. Information on Rs Rs Mo Saathi App’’, helpline numbers (women and children), Sakhi Centre and role of Mahila Commission etc. were also shared in details.
The police officials said that every police station has a women and child desk to enable girls/women to share their complaints. SI Malla also talked about Rs Rs Madhyam’’, the counseling centre being run at DCP offices of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Participants also informed of the initiatives being undertaken to protect senior citizens. They were told about the senior citizen cell. Mahila Commission Member Mohanty talked about selected legal provisions including sexual harassment at workplace.
Experts also discussed about various commissions set up to protectrights of vulnerable groups, including children and persons with disabilities.