Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida Wednesday said the government is working towards building a dowry-free Odisha and homes free from domestic violence, stressing that the objective requires effective implementation of laws, grassroots-level awareness and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders. Parida, who also holds the Women and Child Development (W&CD) portfolio, made the remarks while addressing a state-level orientation programme on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, organised by the W&CD department at the State Convention Centre here.
“The government is working towards building a dowry-free Odisha and domestic violence-free homes,” Parida said. Highlighting that stringent laws alone would not be sufficient to address domestic violence and dowry-related practices, she called for their effective implementation, greater awareness at the grassroots and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders. Parida stressed the importance of creating awareness among women about their legal rights and available support systems, saying such awareness was essential to empower them to raise their voices against violence, discrimination and dowry-related practices. She urged officials and front-line functionaries to ensure that women facing domestic violence or dowry harassment receive timely protection, legal assistance, counselling and other necessary support. The orientation programme focused on key provisions of the two laws, the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, and mechanisms for coordinated action in cases of domestic violence and dowry-related offences.
W&CD department Commis sioner-cum-Secretary Mrinali ni Darswal, Director Monisha Banerjee and Additional Secretary Sumitra Pattnaik attended the programme. Sub-Collectors, protection officers, police officials, personnel from One Stop Centres (OSC) and Shakti Sadan, representatives of District Legal Services Authorities, and officials of District Hubs for Empowerment of Women from across Odisha also participated in the programme. Parida reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity and empowerment of women and girls and called for stronger coordination among departments and agencies dealing with cases of domestic violence and dowry harassment.
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