Shakti Summit: Uniting States for Women's Safety

Bhubaneswar is currently hosting the three-day Shakti Summit, a significant event organized by the National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with the Odisha government. The summit commenced on Tuesday with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurating the proceedings. She stressed that advancing women's safety and empowerment necessitates a unified approach, integrating strong institutions, effective policy implementation, and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

The summit serves as a crucial platform for senior officials from across India to exchange knowledge and best practices. Twenty-nine officers, holding positions such as secretary and director from 22 states and Union Territories, are participating. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar articulated the vision for sustained collective action to bolster women's safety and protection nationwide. The discussions will concentrate on enhancing implementation strategies, showcasing successful state-led initiatives, and identifying actionable approaches to address emerging challenges.

Key participants include NCW member-secretary Sudeep Jain, Odisha's Women and Child Development Department commissioner-cum-secretary Mrinalini Darswal, and Mission Shakti secretary Manasi Nimbhal. The summit aims to foster greater convergence among states and with the central government, ultimately working towards a future where every woman can live with dignity, safety, and ample opportunity. This initiative seeks to identify implementation gaps and discuss strategies for strengthening institutional frameworks for women's empowerment.