Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken an important step to improve women's safety and empowerment by asking all District Collectors to identify and appoint notable women professionals as "Shakti Apa" mentors throughout the state. 
Odisha Government Launches "Shakti Apa" Initiative to Empower and Guide Young Women


A formal notice issued today instructs each district to choose five distinguished women professionals. 
These selected individuals, who will be known as "Shakti Apa," will be responsible for guiding and encouraging young female students in schools and colleges within their respective districts. Each District Collector will be in charge of selecting these mentors. 

Role and Responsibilities of Shakti Apa Mentors:

The Shakti Apa mentors will provide important guidance and inspiration to young women students. 
They are expected to regularly interact with students, offering them advice and support. These mentors will visit assigned educational institutions at least once every three months. To help with these visits, the educational institutions they visit will cover their travel expenses and daily allowances. 

Who Qualifies as a Shakti Apa? 

The government is looking for women professionals with proven experience in fields that are important for youth welfare and safety. 
Eligible candidates include: 
  • Safety Experts: Women working in women's safety or child protection programs. 
  • Retired Professionals: Retired female government employees, police officers, or members of the armed forces. 
  • Legal & Cyber Specialists: Professionals with expertise in law, legal rights, or digital security. 
  • Health Professionals: Public health specialists or counselling psychologists with knowledge in women's health and psycho-social issues. 
  • Education Specialists: Educators with experience, such as conveners of university student welfare committees or heads of established educational institutions. 
The District Collector will make the final decision on selecting the most suitable candidates from these categories based on their backgrounds. 

Urgent Deadline for District Collectors:

District Collectors have a strict deadline. 
They must submit the final list of selected Shakti Apa mentors, along with their profiles and contact information, to the state government within 20 days, by August 20, 2025. 

Parallel Initiative: "Shakti Shree" Coordinators for College Safety 

In addition to the district-level Shakti Apa program, the Higher Education Department has launched a new initiative to enhance safety for female students in colleges and universities. 
This follows recent concerns about campus safety. 
The Department has instructed all University Registrars and College Principals to appoint a "Shakti Shree" coordinator within their institutions. 
This coordinator must be a female faculty member. 

Mandate for Shakti Shree Coordinators: 

The main responsibility of the Shakti Shree coordinator is to ensure the safety and security of female students on campus. 
This initiative is designed to empower young women and create a safer educational environment. Institutions must complete this appointment and officially assign the responsibilities to the chosen faculty member by August 4, 2025. 

Government's Focus on Empowerment and Safety:

The Shakti Apa (district mentors) and Shakti Shree (institutional coordinators) programs reflect the Odisha government's active efforts to promote women's empowerment and safety. 
By creating specific roles at both the district and institution levels, the government is providing structured support, guidance, and a stronger safety network for young women across the state's educational system. These initiatives represent real actions aimed at fostering a more secure and empowering environment for female students in Odisha.