Odisha drafts SOP to address gender-based violence

Bhubaneswar, Sep 3 (IANS) The Odisha government has prepared a draft standard operating procedure (SOP) to address the problem of gender based violence, said an official on Saturday.

Development Commissioner R. Balakrishnan on Saturday chaired a high level meeting here on the issue.

"We have already prepared the SOP to curb gender based violence in the state. It was approved at the meeting. Suggestions would be incorporated in it and the final draft would be submitted to the government for approval," said Health and Family Welfare secretary Arati Ahuja.

According to Ahuja, various guidelines have been circulated through different departments to deal with the gender based violence cases.

The gaps in the implementation of these guidelines have been analysed. Many suggestions were received from various forums, said Ahuja.

Balakrishnan directed the health department to make the SOP more realistic and put in place a compliance tracking system both at the state and the district levels.

He also ordered exemplary action against officials who do not follow the SOP to have a deterrent effect on others.

Balakrishnan directed that the provision of no harassment of Good Samaritans who come to the rescue of the victim, be included in the SOP.