DGP Sanjeev Marik (second from right) at the inauguration event of Maadhyam, a women support centre, in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 3: Two branches of Maadhyam — a women support centre — were inaugurated today.

The centres, which would operate from offices of the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, would provide a range of services to victims of domestic, public and workplace violence.

The city police in collaboration set up the centres with Institute for Social Development and a non-government organisation. The services include counselling, emotional support and crisis intervention and the centre will also provide medical and legal aid along with livelihood advice.

“The centre will have trained women counsellors, including a psychiatric and a legal expert. The counsellors can play a major role,” said Namrata Chadha, president of Institute for Social Development.

Director general of police Sanjeev Marik, while inaugurating the centre, said that it would be helpful in providing counselling in matters of domestic violence and other issues associated with atrocities against women.

“There are a number of problems which cannot be settled by the police. The centre will also be helpful in understanding their problems and redressing them,” he said.

Though the women and child development department had set up a counselling desk at the DCP office in Bhubaneswar in 2008 under an UNDP-funded project, it stopped functioning after a year. The department officials said that the unit was closed due to lack of budgetary provision.

Besides, Mahila and Sishu desks managed by the police stations are also lying defunct due to staff shortage.

“Women and girls do not feel comfortable while interacting with the police personnel. But they can easily share their problems with counsellors,” said a social activist.

In July, the state cabinet had given its nod to the Odisha State Policy for Girls and Women that aimed at eliminating discrimination against them and providing them with conducive atmosphere for their overall development.

Speaking at the event, commissioner-cum-secretary, sports and youth department, Saswat Mishra said the government had decided to screen documentaries on five important themes at various colleges across the state. His department will screen a two-hour long video on patriotism, civic sense, empathy towards disabled, respect for women and substance abuse, he said. Mishra said that the screening would start next month. “We would screen the videos for students of various colleges. This would help them in building their characters,” said Mishra.

Sources said that four such centres would also be opened at Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Rayagada and Kalahandi.