The Odisha government has started several programs under the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme to help girls and stop gender discrimination. These efforts aim to reduce child marriages, promote education, and boost girls' confidence.

Some key programs include:

• Mo Gelha Jhia' (My Lovely Daughter) and 'Nirbhaya Kadhi' (Fearless Bud) 'in Ganjam
• 'Kalpana Avijan' in Dhenkanal
• 'Swarna Kalika' in Keonjhar
• 'Veerangana Yojana' in Deogarh

These programs focus on protecting girls, against illegal sex selection, improving education, and teaching self-defense. The Ministry of Women & Child Development said in  release.

Programs Making a Difference

'Mo Gelha Jhia' and 'Nirbhaya Kadhi'  in Ganjam

The 'Mo Gelha Jhia' initiative fights against female foeticide and sex selection, while the  'Nirbhaya Kadhi' scheme helps create a safe society for girls. It has reached over 1.8-Lakh girls in 3309 villages to help raise awareness about their rights. 

Ganjam became child marriage-free on January 3, 2022. Since 2019, about 20 child marriages were stopped out of 953 cases reported. Also, 4.5 lakh students in 3,614 government schools took an oath to refrain from child marriage. Students reporting such cases awarded Rs.5,000. The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights focussed on  these efforts.

'Kalpana Avijan' in Dhenkanal

This scheme focuses on girls aged 10 to 19 to prevent child marriages. Since 2019, it has stopped 343 child marriages and enrolled 1.13 lakh girls. Also, 4.45 lakh students in 3,425 schools pledged to fight against child marriage. Youth groups and local leaders have participated in raising awareness. 

'Swarna Kalika' in Keonjhar

This program educated people about the dangers of child marriage. Over 2,000 people participated in awareness campaigns. The scheme promoted the ADVIKA app to help decrease child marriages. With all these efforts, child marriage cases dropped by 50 percent by 2024.

'Veerangana' in Deogarh

The 'Veerangana' scheme helps girls build confidence through martial arts and self-defense training. One month camp trained over 500 school and college girls. Parents were also taught about girls' legal rights.

In addition, 50 female trainers were trainned to teach 6,000 girls in 300 rural schools. The program was recognized in media, became part of school curriculums, and even won the prestigious SKOCH Award.

Odisha’s new programs are making a big impact on girls' safety, education, and confidence. By stopping child marriages and teaching self-defense, the state is ensuring a better future for young girls.