Odisha's Comprehensive Strategy to Tackle Maternal and Child Health Challenges
On International Women's Day, Women and Child Development Secretary Mrinalini Darswal outlined Odisha's ambitious, multi-pronged approach to addressing critical health and empowerment issues facing women and children across the state. The state is confronting significant challenges, including maternal mortality rates above the national average and high prevalence of anaemia, which affects around 40% of the population and rises above 60% in districts like Nabarangpur and Nuapada.
Tech-Enabled Monitoring and Community-Based Interventions
Odisha is implementing a technology-driven, community-focused strategy to combat malnutrition and anaemia. The state is strengthening the POSHAN tracker system for real-time monitoring and implementing tele-monitoring of Integrated Child Development Services. Community-based management of acute malnutrition forms a cornerstone of this approach, with Anganwadi and ASHA workers jointly identifying cases and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives assessing children and referring them to health facilities.
Supervised feeding programs at anganwadi centres ensure children consume nutritious meals including eggs, millets, vegetables, and fresh local produce. The state has implemented a 14-day monitoring cycle that tracks growth and identifies root causes of malnutrition. Caregivers can submit weight and height measurements through WhatsApp or SMS, enabling AI-based alerts for early intervention.
Anaemia Reduction and Nutritional Reforms
To address the alarming anaemia rates, Odisha is emphasising iron and folic acid spot consumption, promoting Vitamin C-rich diets, encouraging the use of iron utensils, and implementing digital reminder systems. Reforms in take-home ration distribution, promotion of nutri-gardens, and intensified iron and folic acid supplementation along with deworming programs remain key priorities.
Initial improvements in these areas are expected within 1-2 years, with measurable reductions in malnutrition and anaemia anticipated within 3-5 years.
Financial Empowerment Through Subhadra Scheme
Launched on September 17, 2024, the Subhadra scheme provides Rs 50,000 over five years to more than one crore women across Odisha. Early surveys indicate nearly 80% of funds are being used productively, with 34% allocated to livelihoods, 22% for education and skilling, and 22% for savings or loan repayment. Approximately 65% of beneficiaries report greater financial autonomy, while 98% state the scheme has improved their financial confidence and preparedness.
Gender-Responsive Planning and Workforce Participation
Odisha has transitioned from reporting-focused gender budgeting to a structured system emphasising gender-responsive planning, implementation, and monitoring. All major departments now map schemes benefiting women and girls in the annual gender budget, with departments including health, education, rural development, ST & SC development, social security, and panchayati raj increasingly integrating gender concerns at the planning stage.
The WCD department guides other departments in designing gender-responsive schemes, defining gender-specific outputs, and tracking outcomes, shifting focus from fund earmarking to addressing barriers in access, safety, economic participation, and decision-making. A proposal is being considered to strengthen gender-budgeting capacities across government departments.
Workforce Development and Protection Systems
To expand women's workforce participation, particularly among adolescent girls, the WCD department is implementing the ADVIKA scheme, which provides life-skills training, vocational exposure, and linkages to government skilling programs. Visits to the World Skill Centre and district skill facilities help girls understand career options and build employable abilities.
Priority actions to strengthen protection, safety, and social empowerment include preventing trafficking, improving district and block-level child protection mechanisms, and ensuring stronger coordination among law-enforcement agencies and community institutions. Under Mission Vatsalya, the government is reinforcing institutional and family-based care to ensure early identification, rescue, and rehabilitation of vulnerable or trafficked children.
Survivor support has expanded through One Stop Centres, alongside intensified community awareness campaigns to promote timely reporting of violence and exploitation. These comprehensive initiatives represent Odisha's commitment to creating a safer, more equitable environment for women and children while addressing systemic health challenges through innovative, technology-supported approaches.
