With the State still having highest infant and maternal mortality rates, the Women and Child Development Department has been asked to work out specific action plan for intervention to protect girl child.
A study on some specific areas shows that the life expectancy at birth in Odisha is more than 67 per cent against all-India average of 69 per cent. Women work participation rate in Odisha as per 2011 census is 41 per cent against national average of 39 per cent.
Maternal mortality rate is around 258 in the State against national average of 212 in one lakh births.
Though the situation in Odisha is comparatively better than many other States so far as protection and development for girl child is concerned, the declining sex ratio in the State, high infant mortality rate, low nutritional level for girl children, health and well being of women in age group of 19-59 years, care and protection of elderly women above 60 years are the areas of concern.
The issues were discussed at the first meeting of the State Task Force for care, protection and development of girl child held here on Saturday.
The meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra discussed the trends and factors responsible for declining sex ratio, gender discrimination, problems of girls with disability, girls belonging to particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) and migrant families.
The Chief Secretary asked the Department to plan for construction of hostels for girls and working women. Earlier, the Government had decided construct 12 such hostels in various urban centres with 100 seats each.
It was decided to entrust the maintenance and running of these hostels to Social Welfare Board.
Mohapatra emphasised on convergence of various schemes and programmes running in different departments.
He also asked the department to prioritise the areas like birth rate, health, nutrition, education and skill development.
Development Commissioner Injeti Srinivas, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, UN Behera, Panchyati Raj Secretary DK Singh, representatives from UNICEF, UNFPA, Social Welfare Board and senior officers of different departments participated in the discussion.