Latest news with #ShaktishreeEmpowermentCells
New Indian Express
10-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha government directs HEIs to establish Shaktishree Empowerment Cells
BHUBANESWAR: Colleges and universities under the Higher Education department have been asked to establish Shaktishree Empowerment Cells by August 25. It is part of the Shaktishree initiative announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi last month to ensure safety of women in public higher education institutions. In a letter to all the vice-chancellors and college principals on Saturday, director of higher education Kaliprasanna Mahapatra said the Shaktishree Empowerment Cells will be established as a permanent, round-the-year body in all colleges and universities across the state. The student-led cell will promote security, empowerment and safe environment on campuses for female students and staff. It will comprise a Shaktishree Sanjojika (female faculty member), Shaktishree Saathi (peer leader among girl students), and female class representatives from both UG and PG classes. A calendar of activities will be prepared for the cells which will include addressing issues related to gender-based violence. These cells will conduct a six-day training programme on self-defence, legal rights, and mental health. Apart from constituting the cells, the institutions have been asked to select Shaktishree Saathis after constituting screening committees for the purpose. The Saathis will coordinate with the Shaktishree Sanjojika to conduct training sessions and workshops on campus safety, selfdefence, among other things. The Shaktishree initiative not only aims to prevent atrocities but also empowers female students through self-defence training, legal awareness, and mental health support. It is designed to create a robust safety framework across 16 universities and 730 government and aided colleges under the Higher Education department. As a part of the initiative, a dedicated app will also be developed to provide access to internal complaints committees (ICCs), facilitate anonymous complaint registration via text, audio, or video, mental health support through Tele-MANAS, and an SOS button for immediate assistance. The app will also connect students to local committees for unresolved issues.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CM announces Shaktishree for women's safety on campuses
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday announced a new initiative, "Shaktishree", a comprehensive programme aimed at ensuring the safety and security of girl students across higher educational institutions in Odisha. This announcement comes amid political uproar over the self-immolation of a college student in Balasore after she failed to get justice over alleged sexual harassment. The initiative will be implemented in all 16 state-run universities and 730 govt-run and govt-aided colleges. It introduces eight key measures, including establishment of Shaktishree Empowerment Cells, the launch of a dedicated mobile app, and installation of 24x7 CCTV surveillance systems. "We have adopted a non-negotiable policy for women's protection and respect," the CM said while announcing the programme. "The Shaktishree Initiative will serve as a strong medium to provide a safe environment for female students in our colleges and universities." Under the programme, each institution will establish a Shaktishree Empowerment Cell operated by female students and faculty members. A "Shaktishree Sathi" (student representative) and "Shaktishree Sanjojika" (female teacher) will manage the cell, supported by five distinguished working women nominated as "Shakti Appa (sisters)" who will serve as mentors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The Shaktishree Empowerment Cell will work towards the safety and empowerment of female students, teachers, and staff in colleges and universities. The cell will organise a six-day training programme dividing students into different batches and providing training. Students will receive education on legal rights and mental health, besides self-defence. A key feature of the initiative is the Shaktishree Mobile App, which will enable students to register complaints confidentially through text, audio, or video messages. The app includes an SOS button for emergency assistance and provides access to mental health experts. The app will also offer the facilities of the Tele-MANAS scheme by the Union ministry of health and family welfare. Other significant components include a mandatory code of conduct for teaching and non-teaching staff, self-defence training camps for undergraduate and postgraduate students twice a year, annual campus safety audits, online courses on the prevention of sexual harassment, and an annual "Shakti Swaroopini" workshop for programme coordinators. As part of the code, all teachers and non-teaching staff will complete an annual online training module, raising awareness about women's safety, gender sensitivity, and professional ethics. To create awareness about gender equality and promote women's empowerment, a campaign named Shaktishree Actions for Female Empowerment (SAFE) will be organised. The higher education department will soon issue detailed standard operating procedures for the implementation of the initiative, the CM said.
