Bhubaneswar: Odisha will observe 2025 as ‘Divorce Prevention Year’ and introduce pre-marital counselling for couples in the state.
The decision to open premarital counselling centres was taken by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi following a suggestion by National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, according to an official release.
Majhi said that proper advice regarding worldly life is given before marriage through the counselling centre will help to bring down the divorce rate.
Rahatkar, who was on a two-day tour to Odisha, met the CM at the state secretariat. She also suggested conducting special village meetings (Gram Sabha) for women, measures to prevent child marriage and violence against women, and initiate strict action against sexual harassment of women at work.
She also attended the 32nd Foundation Day celebration of the Odisha State Commission for Women here.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Cm Pravati Parida informed the counselling centres will be called ‘Mother’s Court’ or ‘Maa ra Chhata’. “We are thankful to NCW chairperson for the proposal and the state government will be to implementing it. We hope that many such divorce issues could be resolved through the upcoming premarital counselling centre,” she said.
The deputy CM, who also hold the Women and Child Development portfolio, further stated that trained mental health professionals will be deployed at these counselling centres, offering services such as conflict resolution, emotional well-being, and support for young couples.
Parida said that awareness will be also created regarding married life at village-level meetings.
Mentioning about efforts to uplift women with the financial assistance scheme Subhadra Yojana, she emphasised the importance of women being aware of their rights to achieve empowerment and development. “Women today are proving their skills and abilities in various fields. It is essential for both the government and society to work together to ensure their rights are respected and upheld. The main aim of the Odisha State Women’s Commission is to promote social, economic, and legal empowerment of grassroots women,” she said.
She added the NCW chairperson has appreciated the women-centric schemes of the state government and discussed in detail the issues of child marriage, gender-based violence, cybercrime, human trafficking and sexual harassment in the workplace
Rahatkar said that the NCW was committed to empowering women and strengthening gender justice in the state. She also lauded the initiative to launch a state-level marriage counselling programme in Odisha.
