Shakti Apas to Be Appointed in Every District: Odisha Steps Up Women’s Safety

The Odisha government has taken a major step towards women’s safety and empowerment by deciding to appoint Shakti Apas in every district across the state. These Shakti Apas will serve as dedicated protection officers to handle cases of domestic violence and support survivors under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005. The

The Odisha government has taken a major step towards women’s safety and empowerment by deciding to appoint Shakti Apas in every district across the state. These Shakti Apas will serve as dedicated protection officers to handle cases of domestic violence and support survivors under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005. The decision is expected to improve access to legal help, counselling, and emergency support for women, especially in rural and tribal belts.

I’m writing about this because women’s safety is still a daily concern in many parts of India, and government-led, district-level action like this can truly make a difference. Often, the biggest challenge women face is not just violence, but the absence of systems that can respond quickly. By putting Shakti Apas in every district, Odisha is trying to close this gap. As someone who follows state welfare policies closely, I think it’s important for people to know about such practical, on-ground efforts. These officers won’t just file reports—they will help women navigate the whole system. And that’s a big shift.

What Is the Shakti Apa Initiative?

The Shakti Apa initiative is a special programme under the Mission Shakti department of Odisha. While the Mission Shakti programme is already well-known for forming women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs), this step focuses specifically on legal and emotional protection for women facing domestic violence.

Key functions of Shakti Apas:

Act as Protection Officers under the PWDVA, 2005
Coordinate with police, legal aid, shelter homes, and health services
Provide counselling, file complaints, and assist with court procedures
Visit households or communities where women are at risk
Maintain case records and submit regular reports

Until now, many districts either lacked full-time protection officers or had overburdened officials handling multiple duties. This move ensures that the role gets the attention it truly needs.

Why This Move Matters

Odisha has a mix of urban, rural, and tribal areas where access to women’s safety mechanisms varies a lot. In many districts, women are not even aware of their rights under the PWDVA or where to seek help. Even if they do file complaints, the support system is scattered—legal aid, shelter, counselling, and police often don’t coordinate smoothly.

The Shakti Apa appointment solves a few major issues:

There will now be one single point person for all domestic violence-related support
Victims can get help locally, without travelling to major towns
District officials will be able to track and monitor gender-based violence cases more effectively

It also sends a clear message—that the state is serious about addressing domestic violence and supporting women survivors at every step.

Link to Mission Shakti: Building on an Existing Network

One big strength of this initiative is that it’s not starting from scratch. Odisha’s Mission Shakti platform already includes lakhs of women in SHGs who are active in economic and social issues in their villages. The new Shakti Apas can work with these groups for:

Spreading awareness about domestic violence laws
Identifying women in distress early
Building trust in the system by using known community faces

This ground-level network can help make the Shakti Apa system more responsive and people-friendly, rather than a bureaucratic setup.

How Will It Work in Practice?

According to the plan, one Shakti Apa will be posted in each of Odisha’s 30 districts. They will be recruited from among experienced social workers or officers trained in women’s rights. Each Shakti Apa will work under the District Social Welfare Office, and also coordinate with:

Local police stations and women’s help desks
Legal Services Authorities and Family Courts
Shelter homes and crisis intervention centres
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers

A support staff of data entry operators, case managers or outreach workers may also be provided depending on the district’s needs.

Data That Supports the Need

Here’s why this step couldn’t have come at a better time:

Data Point	Number
Total Domestic Violence Complaints in Odisha (2023)	Over 12,000
Districts without full-time Protection Officers	15+
Women’s Helpline (181) cases in past year	1.8 lakh+
Rural women needing support services	70% of cases

Many victims reported either delay in police action or lack of follow-up—problems that Shakti Apas are expected to fix.

Challenges and Things to Watch

Of course, appointing officers alone won’t solve everything. A few key things will need regular attention:

Training: Shakti Apas must be well-trained in legal, counselling, and safety matters
Coordination: Without good coordination between police, courts, and shelters, the impact will be limited
Monitoring: A strong MIS system to track cases, complaints, and progress is essential
Accountability: Monthly reports and district-level audits must be part of the model

If these are handled properly, the Shakti Apa initiative could become a model for other states as well.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.