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New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, October 8, 2026: Odisha is placing greater emphasis on coordinated and result-oriented measures for the welfare, protection and empowerment of women and children. Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women and Child Development Pravati Parida participated in a two-day departmental conference being organised by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in New Delhi on October 8 and 9.

The conference has brought together ministers, senior administrators and representatives from States and Union Territories to discuss ways of strengthening programmes designed for women and children. During her visit to the national capital, Pravati Parida also met Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi as part of Odisha’s efforts to maintain close coordination with the Union Government on matters concerning the department.

Odisha Women and Child Development Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Mrinalini Darswal is also participating in the conference. Her presence is expected to facilitate detailed discussions on the implementation of various programmes and initiatives in Odisha and provide an opportunity to share the state’s experiences with officials from other parts of the country.

Focus on Better Coordination Between Centre and States

The two-day meeting is aimed at creating a stronger platform for discussion and cooperation between the Centre and State Governments. Women’s welfare and child development involve several interconnected areas, including nutrition, education, protection, safety and social empowerment. Effective implementation therefore requires coordination among different levels of government and institutions.

The conference is addressing these issues with a focus on practical solutions and improved outcomes. Officials and ministers are discussing existing programmes, implementation challenges and possible strategies for ensuring that government initiatives reach intended beneficiaries more efficiently.

According to the Odisha delegation, cooperation between the Centre and States is particularly important because many programmes related to women and children depend on effective implementation at the grassroots level.

Strengthening Anganwadi Centres

One of the principal themes of the conference is the transformation and strengthening of Anganwadi Centres. These centres play an important role in delivering nutrition-related services and supporting early childhood development.

Discussions are focusing on how Anganwadi Centres can become more effective spaces for young children and mothers. Better infrastructure, improved service delivery, nutrition support and early childhood education are among the broader areas receiving attention.

The emphasis on early childhood is significant because the first years of a child’s life are crucial for physical growth, learning and overall development. Strengthening services at the community level can therefore have long-term benefits for children and families.

Odisha is also using the conference as an opportunity to present initiatives and practices developed within the state. The exchange of ideas with other States and Union Territories may help identify approaches that can be adapted to local requirements.

Greater Attention to Child Protection

Child safety and protection form another major area of discussion at the conference. Governments are examining ways to make child protection mechanisms more responsive and effective.

A strong child protection system requires coordination among government departments, welfare institutions, law enforcement agencies and community organisations. Early identification of vulnerable children, timely intervention and appropriate support are important components of such a system.

The conference provides a national platform for States to discuss the difficulties they encounter while implementing child protection programmes and to consider solutions based on experiences from different regions.

For Odisha, the discussions are also an opportunity to highlight its ongoing efforts and learn from practices adopted elsewhere. Such knowledge-sharing can support improvements in the delivery of services to children who require care and protection.

Women’s Safety as a Key Priority

Women’s safety is another central theme of the meeting. The conference is examining the role of institutional arrangements and legal mechanisms in creating a safer environment for women.

Effective policies need to be supported by proper implementation, accessible support systems and coordination between relevant agencies. Strengthening these mechanisms can help women access assistance and protection when required.

The discussions are also intended to examine how existing programmes can be made more effective and responsive to the needs of women in different circumstances.

Odisha’s participation reflects the state’s intention to contribute to national discussions while also gaining insights from the experiences of other States and Union Territories.

Expanding Women’s Empowerment Initiatives

Beyond safety and protection, the conference is placing considerable emphasis on women’s empowerment. The objective is to improve the impact of programmes intended to strengthen women’s social and economic participation.

Women’s empowerment covers several dimensions, including access to opportunities, education, skills, support services and participation in decision-making. Government programmes can have a greater impact when their implementation is regularly assessed and adjusted according to the needs of beneficiaries.

The conference is therefore focusing not only on the existence of schemes but also on their outcomes. Sharing successful models among States could help governments identify innovative approaches and improve the effectiveness of existing programmes.

Odisha Highlights Innovation and Best Practices

For Odisha, the New Delhi conference represents an opportunity to showcase initiatives that have produced positive results in the women and child development sector. The state can also learn from programmes implemented successfully in other parts of India.

Such exchanges are valuable because States often face different social, economic and geographical challenges. A programme that works effectively in one region may provide ideas that can be modified to suit another region.

Pravati Parida has emphasised the importance of this exchange of knowledge and experience. According to the state government’s approach, innovation and collaboration can help make public programmes more responsive and people-centric.

Importance of Centre-State Cooperation

The participation of senior representatives from both the Centre and States underlines the importance of cooperative governance in the women and child development sector.

Issues involving nutrition, education, safety and empowerment cannot be addressed through isolated efforts. They require sustained coordination, adequate implementation mechanisms and regular assessment of outcomes.

Pravati Parida stressed that continued cooperation between the Union and State Governments is essential to make initiatives concerning women and children more effective. Greater coordination can help reduce gaps in service delivery and ensure that policies translate into tangible benefits at the community level.

A Broader Vision for Women and Children

The conference comes at a time when governments are increasingly focusing on measurable outcomes rather than simply expanding the number of programmes. For women and children, this means ensuring that schemes result in meaningful improvements in nutrition, education, safety, protection and empowerment.

Odisha’s participation demonstrates its intention to remain engaged with national policy discussions and contribute its own experiences. The presence of both the political leadership and senior departmental officials provides an opportunity to discuss policy priorities as well as practical implementation issues.

The two-day deliberations are expected to strengthen the exchange of ideas among States and encourage greater cooperation in developing and implementing programmes.

Odisha Reaffirms Its Commitment

The Odisha Government has reiterated that the overall development and welfare of women and children will remain a major priority. The state intends to pursue improvements through innovation, collaboration and the adoption of effective practices.

The New Delhi conference provides a significant platform for Odisha to discuss its achievements, understand emerging challenges and explore new approaches. Continued dialogue between the Centre and States could contribute to stronger implementation of programmes and better delivery of services.

As discussions continue on October 9, the broader objective remains clear: to build systems that provide children with better opportunities for healthy growth and development while creating stronger support, safety and empowerment mechanisms for women.

The participation of Pravati Parida and senior Odisha officials in the conference reflects the state’s commitment to this objective. Through continued cooperation, exchange of experiences and emphasis on practical outcomes, Odisha aims to contribute to a more effective and inclusive framework for women and child development across the country.