Odisha government planning to set up all-women court soon: Dy CM Pravati Parida

Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced that the state will soon establish a fully women-operated court to address crimes against women, marking a significant step toward gender-sensitive justice.

The Dy CM revealed this during her address at the second foundation day of Odisha Women in Media (OWM) in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. She further added that the move aims to create a safe environment where survivors of sexual assault can testify without fear or shame.

Significance of a Court Led by Women

The specialized court will be staffed entirely by women, including judges, lawyers, clerks, and administrative personnel. Pravati Parida emphasized that this setup would empower survivors of sexual violence to speak openly during trials.

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Shakti App: Reducing Trauma for Survivors

In the same event, the Deputy CM highlighted the state’s Shakti app, launched by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, as a complementary tool to streamline legal processes. The app allows survivors to digitally record their testimonies, which can then be submitted as evidence in court. 

The app aims to spare survivors of sexual assault cases the repeated trauma of recounting their ordeal to multiple authorities—police, doctors, and judges.

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Safety Audits and Media Collaboration

Addressing broader safety concerns, Pravati Parida urged women journalists to conduct year-long safety audits of public spaces in their cities. The deputy CM also called on OWM, a 200-member media collective, to mentor aspiring women journalists from underprivileged backgrounds and upskill existing professionals.