Odisha Government announced “Shaktishree” – A Statewide Women’s Self-Defence & Empowerment Initiative in Higher Education Institution

Bhubaneswar:19/7/25:Odisha Government announced “Shaktishree” – A Statewide Women’s Self-Defence & Empowerment Initiative in Higher Education Institutions

The Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, has announced Shaktishree, a transformative empowerment and self-defence programme for all undergraduate and postgraduate girl students across 16 state universities, 730 government and aided institutions.

The initiative, while focussing on ensuring the holistic safety of female students – physical, legal, mental & digital, also aims at safeguarding the campuses of the Higher Education Institutions of the State.

The “Shaktishree” initiative encompasses the following key components:

1. Shaktishree Empowerment Cell – a permanent, student-led cell to be created in every institution.

Shaktishree Saathi, Shaktishree Sanjojika, and Shakti Apa – A female student to act as ‘Shaktishree Saathi’ and a female faculty member to act as ‘Shaktishree Sanjojika’ to coordinate & synergize the Shaktishree Empowerment Cell. In addition to that, five (5) distinguished female professionals to be selected by District Collector as ‘Shakti Apas’ who will act as mentors for students of the institution and will visit the institution once every three months.
2. Shaktishree Mobile Application – A one-stop mobile application for all female students to securely report their complaints, seek support and much more.
3. Code of Conduct for Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff in Higher Education Institutions.
4. SAFE Campaign (Shaktishree Actions for Female Empowerment) – focusing on awareness related to gender sensitization, anti-bullying, etc.
5. Annual Campus Safety Report – to be submitted by all Higher Education Institutions.
6. CCTV Surveillance – Round-the-clock surveillance in all Higher Education Institutions to ensure security.
7. Online courses- Online Courses will be provided on POSH Act, 2013 and the UGC Regulations,2015
8. Shakti Swarupini – an annual one-day workshop bringing all Shaktishree Saathis and Shaktishree Sanjojikas of the State for training, knowledge sharing and feedback to further strengthen the initiative.

Shaktishree Empowerment Cell

Shaktishree Empowerment Cell is a student-led permanent round-the-year body to be established in all higher education institutions of the state. This will be coordinated by the Shaktishree Sanjojika (a female faculty member of the institution) and the Shaktishree Saathi (a female student of the same institution). The Cell is meant to foster a sense of security and empowerment among the female students and staff (both teaching and non-teaching) of the institution. It shall conduct a mandatory ‘6-Days Intensive Training Programme’ batch-wise, along with round-the-year activities to strengthen the young female students at the individual level. Five (5) distinguished female professionals to be selected by the District Collector as ‘Shakti Apas’ who will act as mentors for students of the institution and will visit the institution once every three months.

Shaktishree Mobile Application

This mobile application is expected to be a revolutionary tool for enhancing the safety and well-being of girl students and female employees of the colleges and universities across the state.
The app would have provisions for letting students register complaints about incidents — via text, audio, or video message — with the option of anonymity, which shall be linked to the concerned head of the Internal Complaints Committee of the institution.
It will feature Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) guidelines for ready reference and awareness, and also act as a knowledge base of the necessary rules, laws, and rights of girl students and female employees. It shall also feature the contact details of the Institution’s Internal Complaints Committee.
For students experiencing stress or anxiety and to support their mental health, students would have the option to schedule Free Counselling Sessions with professionally trained medical health counsellors. The application will also link directly to Tele-MANAS, a national initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides mental health support.
An integrated SOS button will enable users to seek immediate help in case of emergency situations which shall directly connect them with the Shaktishree Saathi & the Shakstishree Sanjojika.
Additionally, it will include information on Local Committees (LC) across districts, enabling students to escalate their complaints if they feel their complaints are not adequately addressed by the ICC at the institutional level.
Further SOP for disposal of these complaints & monitoring thereof will be issued by Higher Education Dept.

Code of Conduct for Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff

A comprehensive Code of Conduct will be introduced and made mandatory for all teaching and non-teaching staffs across Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). As part of this initiative, all staffs members will be required to complete an annual online training module. This measure is expected to significantly enhance awareness regarding gender sensitization, women’s safety, and professional ethics among teaching and non-teaching staffs of the institutions.

SAFE Campaign

The SAFE (Shaktishree Actions for Female Empowerment) Campaign is a comprehensive initiative aimed at promoting gender sensitization and empowering women through awareness. The campaign will conduct gender sensitization awareness programs twice a year, coinciding with significant days related to women’s empowerment and safety. The campaign shall organize a variety of activities such as self-defense workshops, awareness drives on women’s rights, safety drills, motivational talks by experts, etc,. which will encourage active participation from all stakeholders and will focus on challenging gender stereotypes, fostering respect, and creating a safe environment for women.

Annual Campus Safety Report

As part of the Shaktishree initiative, Annual Campus Safety Report shall be submitted by all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by 31st December every year. It would play a crucial role in ensuring a safe and secure environment. This report would provide comprehensive data on campus safety measures, incidents and complaints reported, measures taken, Action Taken Report, crime prevention strategies, emergency response procedures, gender-specific safety initiatives, etc.

CCTV Installation

The installation of CCTV cameras shall be ensured in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for round-the-clock monitoring, along with a dedicated control room within each college. This would be a crucial component of the broader safety and security framework. CCTVs will be installed at strategic locations which will be identified by ICC members and Shaktisree Empowerment Cell.

Online courses

Online Courses will be provided on POSH Act, 2013 and UGC Regulations,2015

Shakti Swarupini

Shakti Swarupini – the annual one-day workshop would bring together all the Shaktishree Saathis and Shaktishree Sanjojikas of the State. This will strengthen their roles as change agents by ensuring brainstorming, training on various legal aspects and provisions, case studies related to their handling of cases, the use of Shaktishree Mobile App for safety and empowerment, etc. Participants will be well-equipped with knowledge about legal rights, self-defense techniques, and digital tools, enabling them to act confidently as trainers and members within the Shaktishree Empowerment Cell. These workshops will not only enhance individual confidence but also promote a culture of proactive safety and gender sensitivity among college girls, thus creating a more inclusive and equitable society.