Bhubaneswar, July 19: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday announced the launch of 'Shaktishree', a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring the safety and security of women students and staff across all higher education campuses in the state.

Briefing the media here, the Chief Minister said the Shaktishree programme is designed to ensure a secure academic environment and promote holistic development for undergraduate and postgraduate girl students.

The initiative features eight key components, including the establishment of Shaktishree Empowerment Cells in every institution, managed by female students and faculty. Each cell will include a student representative (Shaktishree Saathi), a faculty coordinator (Shaktishree Sanyojika), and five district-appointed women mentors (Shakti Appa) who will visit campuses quarterly and serve as guides.

A six-day training module will be conducted to educate students on self-defense, legal rights, and mental health. Complementing this is the launch of the Shaktishree mobile app, which enables students to confidentially report harassment or distress via text, audio, or video. The app also connects users to the national Tele-MANAS helpline for mental health support and includes an SOS button for emergencies.

The programme mandates a Code of Conduct for teaching and non-teaching staff, requiring annual online training on gender sensitivity and professional ethics. A SAFE campaign (Shaktishree Actions for Female Empowerment) will be held twice a year to raise awareness on women’s rights and safety.

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Institutions must submit an annual Campus Safety Report by December 31, detailing complaints, resolutions, and emergency preparedness. Additionally, CCTV surveillance and control rooms will be installed for 24/7 monitoring, and online courses on the POSH Act and UGC guidelines will be introduced.

To further strengthen the initiative, an annual workshop titled “Shakti Swaroopini” will be organized for all Shaktishree representatives, focusing on constitutional rights, digital safety, and app usage.

The Chief Minister said the Shaktishree programme will be implemented in all the state-run universities and government and aided colleges in the state. He emphasized that the Shakti Shree Yojana is not just a safety measure but a step toward building a culture of resilience, awareness, and empowerment among young women.

The announcement was made in the wake of the death of a 20-year-old student by self-immolation over an alleged sexual harassment incident at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore.

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