Odisha prepares SOP to curb gender-based violence

In order to curb the rising gender-based violence in the state, Odisha government has prepared a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deal with such cases, official sources said today.
The draft SOP was taken for discussion at a high level meeting chaired by Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan here.
"We have already prepared the SOP to curb gender-based violence in the state. It was approved at the meeting today. The government will take a final call on the SOP," said Health and Family Welfare Secretary Arati Ahuja.
Stating that various guidelines have been circulated at different points of time through several departments to deal with the cases arising out of gender-based violence, Ahuja said the gaps in implementation of these guidelines have been analysed.

Ahuja said the department has formulated an integrated draft SOP which was discussed in the meeting today.
"Suggestions received at the meeting would be incorporated and the final draft would be submitted to the government for approval," she said.
Balakrishnan suggested the provisions of no harassment to those coming to the rescue of the victim be included in the SOP.