State Level Juvenile Justice Consultation on Safeguarding the Girl Child

Odisha Judicial Academy, Cuttack | Sept 2025 : The Juvenile Justice Committee of the High Court of Orissa, in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), Government of Odisha, and UNICEF, organised a State Level Juvenile Justice Consultation on “Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India” today at the Odisha Judicial Academy, Cuttack.

Inaugurating the consultation, Hon’ble the Chief Justice Shri Harish Tandon emphasized the importance of strong institutional mechanisms and community-based efforts to protect girls from violence, child marriage, and exploitation. His Lordship drew on personal experiences and analysed the provisions of The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. He expressed hope that the technical sessions would generate solutions to strengthen safeguards for the girl child.

Delivering the welcome address, Miss Justice Savitri Ratho, Judge and Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, highlighted the consultation’s objective. She recalled that women’s empowerment throughout history has been a story of both reverence and resistance. Setting the context, she observed that safeguarding the girl child is not merely a responsibility but a promise to our future and an obligation. She stressed that a safe, empowered, and free girl is the true measure of progress.

Hon’ble Justice A.K. Mohapatra, Judge and member of the Juvenile Justice Committee, provided a brief introduction to Sishu Surakhya, the Committee’s newsletter started in 2017. The 2025 edition of Sishu Surakhya was unveiled by Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Harish Tandon on the occasion.

Ms. Monisha Banerjee, Director, Department of WCD, Government of Odisha, underlined the urgency of safeguarding girls, calling it a matter of justice, dignity, and the kind of society we want to build. She noted that statistics on child marriage, school dropouts, and trafficking reflect systemic neglect of the girl child.

Speaking at the consultation, Mr. William Hanlon, Jr., Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Odisha, described violence against children as both a human rights breach and a public health crisis with long-term consequences. He stressed a collaborative approach, stating: “Ending violence against girls and all children is not just necessary; it is possible. By strengthening laws, raising awareness, and fostering collaboration across sectors—from government to civil society—we can create a future where every child is safe, valued, and able to thrive.”

The consultation brought together Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Orissa, senior government officials, judicial officers, law enforcement authorities, child rights experts, and departmental representatives to assess progress, challenges, and the way forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of girls in Odisha.

Officials from the Departments of Women & Child Development, School & Mass Education, Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and Odisha Police shared departmental initiatives and reaffirmed their commitment to stronger inter-departmental coordination.

Hon’ble Justice M.S. Raman, Judge and member of the Juvenile Justice Committee, proposed the vote of thanks.

The consultation concluded with a call for collective action and stronger partnerships to create a safer, more enabling environment for every girl child in Odisha.