Bhubaneswar- A high-level state workshop on Gender-Based Violence and Psychological Care for Survivors was held today at the State Women and Child Institution auditorium in Bhubaneswar, under the aegis of the Odisha State Commission for Women. The event brought together policymakers, administrators, mental health experts, and civil society stakeholders to discuss coordinated strategies for addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in the state.
Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, reiterated the Government of Odisha’s zero-tolerance policy towards violence against women. Emphasizing the critical importance of post-trauma recovery, she stated that the government’s primary objective is to reintegrate survivors into the mainstream of society through skill development and confidence-building initiatives.
“Centers like Sakhi-One Stop Centres should focus not only on immediate rescue but also on enabling survivors to reclaim their identity and dignity through skill training and livelihood opportunities,” Parida said. She urged police personnel to deal with GBV cases with utmost sensitivity and care.
Shubha Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development and Chairperson of the Odisha State Commission for Women, emphasized the need for inter-departmental coordination to effectively address gender-based violence. “This is not just about showing empathy; it is about building a secure environment where survivors feel protected and empowered,” she stated.
Inspector General of Police (Women and Child Crime Cell) Sainy S. highlighted rising domestic violence incidents, often inflicted by family members, and called for a societal shift in mindset. UNFPA India Representative and Country Director for Bhutan, Andrea M. Wojnar, expressed gratitude to Deputy CM Parida for her leadership in championing women’s empowerment in Odisha. She underlined the importance of collective responsibility in eliminating GBV.
The event featured a keynote presentation by Padma Shri awardee and renowned social activist Sunitha Krishnan, founder of Prajwala, a Hyderabad-based organization working against human trafficking. Krishnan provided deep insights into survivor care, policy implementation gaps, and the need for empathy-driven governance.
Participants included prominent individuals from diverse sectors such as police, health services, legal advocacy, public administration, NGOs, mental health specialists, policy advisors, district-level protection officers, and members of Sakhi-One Stop Centres and Shakti Sadans across Odisha. Senior officials from the Department of Women and Child Development and the Odisha State Commission for Women were also present.
The workshop concluded with a renewed call for building a responsive, sensitive, and inclusive support system that upholds the rights and dignity of women and survivors of violence.
