Bhubaneswar: Adolescent girls and boys from across Odisha had a unique opportunity to interact with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Tuesday. The event, part of the Advika Barta initiative by the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), allowed young participants to share their aspirations, concerns, and suggestions on issues affecting their lives.
Programme organized with Unicef
The state government, in partnership with Unicef, organized the programme as part of the Raja festival celebrations under the theme ‘A Day for Children’. It brought together adolescents from all 30 districts for a direct dialogue with policymakers.
“The future of Odisha lies with its young people. Their ideas, aspirations and perspectives are essential in shaping policies and programmes that respond to their needs,” said Deputy CM Parida.
Key issues raised
Participants raised several critical issues, including education, health and nutrition, digital safety, menstrual hygiene, skill development, child protection, mental well-being, and opportunities for meaningful participation in community development. Parida responded to their queries and assured them of the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for children and adolescents.
Unicef’s perspective
Prasanta Kumar Dash, chief of field office at Unicef Bhubaneswar, emphasized the importance of platforms like Advika Barta. “When adolescents are given opportunities to share their views, they can become powerful agents of positive change in their families and communities. Such platforms help nurture confidence, critical thinking and leadership skills,” he said.
OSCPCR’s role
OSCPCR chairperson Babita Patro highlighted the importance of institutional mechanisms that enable children and adolescents to engage directly with policymakers and decision-makers.
This initiative marks a significant step in ensuring that young voices are heard in policy discussions, fostering a more inclusive approach to governance in Odisha.
