On July 19, 2025, Odisha’s Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, launched an ambitious and groundbreaking initiative titled ‘Shaktishree’, aimed at providing safety, security, and empowerment to female students in the state’s higher education institutions. In response to the tragic incident where a 20-year-old student in Balasore lost her life after self-immolating due to alleged sexual harassment and institutional inaction, the Shaktishree initiative strives to transform campus safety across Odisha.
The launch of this initiative is a much-needed step forward, not just in terms of immediate safety measures but also in creating an environment that empowers young women. With various components aimed at tackling harassment, promoting self-defense, and ensuring a zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based violence, Shaktishree is set to reshape the educational landscape for female students.
Let’s dive deeper into this transformative initiative, explore its components, and see how it’s shaping the future of female students in Odisha’s educational institutions.
Odisha CM Launches ‘Shaktishree’
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | July 19, 2025 |
| Primary Goal | Ensure safety, security, and empowerment for female students. |
| Core Programs | Self-defense, emotional well-being, legal rights education, mentorship, and safety audits. |
| Shaktishree Empowerment Cells | Set up in 16 state-run universities and 730 colleges, led by female faculty and student representatives. |
| Mobile App | Confidential complaints, SOS feature, mental health access, and Tele-MANAS for emotional support. |
| Training | Six-day self-defense, mental health, and legal rights training. |
| Mentorship | Senior women professionals appointed as ‘Shakti Apas’ to mentor students and visit campuses quarterly. |
| Campus Safety Measures | 24/7 CCTV surveillance, annual campus safety audits, and self-defense camps. |
| Awareness Campaigns | Biannual campaigns to raise awareness on gender issues, bullying, and harassment. |
| Annual Safety Reports | Institutions must submit safety reports detailing the measures taken and incidents reported. |
| Website for More Info | Official Shaktishree Website |
The Shaktishree initiative marks a monumental step in ensuring the safety and empowerment of female students in Odisha. With its comprehensive approach—ranging from self-defense training and mental health support to legal rights education and gender sensitivity training—this program is set to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for students across the state. By addressing both physical safety and emotional well-being, Shaktishree sets a new standard for campus safety initiatives.
As Chief Minister Majhi rightly said, “This initiative will ensure the safety of girl students and create safer and more inclusive campuses in our higher education institutions.” Odisha is paving the way for a future where young women can thrive without fear of harassment or discrimination, and this initiative is just the beginning.
Understanding the Shaktishree Initiative
The Shaktishree program is a strategic response to the increasing concerns about the safety of women on college campuses, particularly after the disturbing case in Balasore. With over 730 government and aided colleges, along with 16 state-run universities, spread across the state, ensuring female students’ safety and emotional well-being is a monumental task. This initiative breaks it down into manageable, actionable pieces to ensure real change.
Key Objectives of Shaktishree
- Safety First: The program is designed with a laser focus on ensuring the safety of every female student. This includes the establishment of dedicated safety measures, such as 24/7 CCTV surveillance in all educational institutions. Regular safety audits will be conducted to keep campus environments secure.
- Empowerment through Education: Beyond just protecting students, Shaktishree aims to empower them. A key aspect of the program is the Shaktishree Empowerment Cells. These cells will be present in all educational institutions, providing resources and support. They will also serve as hubs for legal rights education, emotional well-being support, and mentorship.
- Mental Health Support: In addition to physical safety, emotional well-being plays a pivotal role. The Shaktishree mobile app will provide students access to mental health services, offering a safe and confidential platform to seek help. The app includes an SOS feature, allowing students to alert authorities quickly in case of emergencies. Mental health services will be accessible through Tele-MANAS, offering professional support for students dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
- Gender Sensitivity and Awareness: Through annual training programs for staff and students, the initiative promotes gender sensitivity and awareness about harassment, bullying, and emotional intelligence. All staff members—both teaching and non-teaching—will undergo mandatory online training on gender sensitivity, ensuring a campus-wide shift towards inclusivity and respect for all genders.
- Self-Defense and Legal Rights Training: Students will also have the opportunity to attend self-defense training camps. These camps will provide valuable skills to female students, enabling them to defend themselves in challenging situations. Additionally, training programs will educate students about their legal rights, providing them with the tools to advocate for themselves if they experience discrimination or harassment.
- Mentorship Programs: As part of the initiative, five senior women professionals, known as Shakti Apas, will be appointed in each district to provide mentorship. They will visit campuses regularly, interact with students, and provide guidance on overcoming challenges, be it academic, personal, or emotional.
Practical Steps in the Shaktishree Initiative
- Step 1: Setting Up Empowerment Cells
Each educational institution will set up a Shaktishree Empowerment Cell consisting of a female faculty member and a student representative. These cells will work towards empowering students, raising awareness on rights and responsibilities, and ensuring a safe space for complaints and concerns. - Step 2: Implementation of the Mobile App
A dedicated mobile app will be launched, ensuring that students can access resources, report issues, or ask for help without fear of backlash. The SOS feature will instantly notify campus security or local authorities in case of a crisis. - Step 3: Staff and Student Training
Both staff and students will undergo training programs on gender sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and legal rights. This program is designed to not only educate but also to instill a culture of respect and care for all members of the campus community. - Step 4: Regular Monitoring and Audits
Campus safety audits will be carried out annually, ensuring that the physical infrastructure remains safe. The audits will assess security measures, including lighting, surveillance, and emergency protocols, to ensure everything is up to par. - Step 5: Raising Awareness Through Campaigns
Biannual campaigns will be conducted to raise awareness on gender-related issues, bullying, and harassment. These campaigns will involve students, faculty, and professionals in discussions, workshops, and seminars, helping foster a supportive campus environment.
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Addressing Common Concerns About the Shaktishree Initiative
Q1: How will the mobile app work?
The app will allow students to report incidents via text, audio, or video. It also includes an SOS feature, notifying authorities in case of an emergency, and providing direct access to mental health support.
Q2: Who will oversee the Shaktishree Empowerment Cells?
Each Empowerment Cell will be led by a female faculty member and supported by a student representative. They will work together to maintain a safe and inclusive environment, offering support to students in need.
Q3: How will this initiative impact students’ daily lives?
This initiative will create a campus environment where students feel safe, heard, and empowered. With access to self-defense training, mental health support, and gender sensitivity education, students will be more confident in navigating their academic and personal lives.
Q4: How are the success and progress of this initiative measured?
Every institution will submit annual safety reports, detailing the measures taken and any incidents reported. This will help keep track of progress and ensure that the initiative is effectively addressing safety concerns.
