Before the summer holidays in schools, the Government of Odisha conducted an awareness campaign in hostels to educate girls about sexual harassment, which was found to be rampant, resulting in teenage pregnancies, when they were on holidays. These are done at home, a senior official said. ,
The ST and SC Development, Minority and Backward Class Welfare department carried out the drive, which started last week and ended on Monday, in around 5,800 hostels run by the department, targeting more than 2.5 lakh girls ahead of the summer vacation, according to the official. formally started on April 25 but most of them left for home on Tuesday after the weather improved, he said, adding that schools were likely to reopen in the second week of June.
"The aim of this campaign was to educate girls to be alert and vigilant while going home, as it was observed that many girls face sexual harassment by close family and relatives during summer vacations, which leads to As a result I have to conceive as a teenager.
"Such incidents occur when parents are away for livelihood and the girl is left alone at home in unsafe conditions," the officer said.
Apart from creating awareness among girls about how to protect themselves and understand the difference between 'good touch' and 'bad touch', the department has also launched the 'Mo Parikalpa' initiative, under which parents are told What should they do for the safety of their daughters?While they are alone at home their issues are heard, said department secretary Rupa Rosha Sahu.
Another officer said the 'Mo hypothesis' is like a listening window to capture voices from the ground so that observations can lead to police action.
The official said the department has also asked sexual harassment committees in hostels to remain vigilant regarding such complaints and verify them.
Sahu said the department had earlier trained hostel matrons and assistant superintendents to conduct counseling sessions on issues like sexual harassment, child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
The department has also trained matrons to take stock of the health and mental health of girls over phone and provide counselling, and inculcate positive behaviour.
The ST and SC Development, Minority and Backward Class Welfare department carried out the drive, which started last week and ended on Monday, in around 5,800 hostels run by the department, targeting more than 2.5 lakh girls ahead of the summer vacation, according to the official. formally started on April 25 but most of them left for home on Tuesday after the weather improved, he said, adding that schools were likely to reopen in the second week of June.
"The aim of this campaign was to educate girls to be alert and vigilant while going home, as it was observed that many girls face sexual harassment by close family and relatives during summer vacations, which leads to As a result I have to conceive as a teenager.
"Such incidents occur when parents are away for livelihood and the girl is left alone at home in unsafe conditions," the officer said.
Apart from creating awareness among girls about how to protect themselves and understand the difference between 'good touch' and 'bad touch', the department has also launched the 'Mo Parikalpa' initiative, under which parents are told What should they do for the safety of their daughters?While they are alone at home their issues are heard, said department secretary Rupa Rosha Sahu.
Another officer said the 'Mo hypothesis' is like a listening window to capture voices from the ground so that observations can lead to police action.
The official said the department has also asked sexual harassment committees in hostels to remain vigilant regarding such complaints and verify them.
Sahu said the department had earlier trained hostel matrons and assistant superintendents to conduct counseling sessions on issues like sexual harassment, child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
The department has also trained matrons to take stock of the health and mental health of girls over phone and provide counselling, and inculcate positive behaviour.
