Shaktishree cell for campus safety to be opened by August 25, Odisha Higher Education Dept issues letter
Shaktishree cell for campus safety to be opened by August 25, Odisha Higher Education Department issues letter to Colleges and Universities
The Higher Education Department has issued a letter for the opening of Shaktishree cells and appoint Shaktisree companions in higher educational institutions. Shaktishree Empowerment Cells will be established in all universities and colleges under the Higher Education Department.
In this regard, the Director of the Department, Kaliprasanna Mohapatra, has written a letter to all college Principals and university Vice-Chancellors.
The letter mentions that steps will be taken to select Shaktishree cell Companions by August 20. Instructions have been given to select a student representing each class by August 14. Further, notice has also been given to select a UG or PG final year student for representation and to organize a 6-day self-defense training.
Undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students will be given a 6-day self-defense training. Awareness workshops on women’s safety and rights will also be held. This center will try to increase the self-confidence of the students. A faculty member will be the coordinator of the center.
It is worth mentioning here that, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on July 19 launched the ‘Shaktishree’ programme, a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring the safety and empowerment of girl students across Odisha.
“For the security of girls in the state, Shaktishree will be implemented in 16 universities and 730 government and grant-in-aid colleges,” said the Chief Minister.
“Through this, we will ensure that our daughters feel protected, supported, and empowered on campus.”
Key highlights of the Shaktishree initiative include:
- Self-defence training for girl students in universities.
- Mental health training and support to promote emotional well-being.
- A dedicated Shaktishree mobile app, active 24/7 for campus safety alerts and support.
- Formation of an internal committee to handle grievances and ensure accountability.
- A code of conduct for faculty and staff to uphold respectful, safe environments.
- Annual safety audits, with every institution required to submit a report by December each year.
- Government oversight to ensure implementation is strict and uniform.
- Focused action to build a safe and inclusive ecosystem for young women.
The Shaktishree program was introduced amid public outrage over the FM College incident, highlighting the urgent need for actionable measures to protect female students.
