42 per cent women face physical violence in Odisha: State government

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha government today admitted that 42 per cent of women, between 15 to 49 years age are subjected to either physical or sexual violence in the state.

It also said that more than two-third of the girls, about 67 per cent, in the age group of six months to five years and six out of ten women (61.2 per cent) in the reproductive age are anaemic.

Women and child development (WCD) minister Usha Devi said this in today's Assembly while replying a question of BJP MLA Dilip Ray.

"State government's reply is based on the NHFS-III (2005-06) report," Devi said, adding, this was mentioned in the draft policy for girls and women.

In its bid to mitigate such violence, at least 30 officers have been appointed in each district to address the issue of domestic violence, she said.

"Bell Bajao Campaign and other awareness programmes are also taken up periodically in the state," Devi said.

To facilitate integrated approach towards crime against women and children, the minister said 537 Mahila Sishu Desks have been set up in police stations by home department.

All Swadhar Homes, Ujjwala Home, Short Stay Homes and family counselling centre are declared as service providers under Protection of Women Domestic Violence Act, 205, she said.

As per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013), local committees and internal complaints committees have been constituted, she said.

On steps taken to control anaemia in women, Devi said that the state government has been supplying bi-weekly elementary iron and folic acid supplementation and age appropriate deworming of pre-school children.

Besides, all pregnant and lactating women are provided iron supplementation and also counselling on nutrition particularly on vitamin and nutrient-rich food to take care of their health and pregnancy outcome, she said.