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UNFPA in Odisha

Odisha, with 3.32% of India’s population, is home to a vibrant mix of traditions, languages, and tribal communities

With a 480-km coastline and a strong base of youth and tribal communities, the state is embracing a new demographic reality—one that calls for inclusive, resilient, and rights-based development.

Priority Districts: Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajapati

Youth Population (15-29 years) [1]

People from Tribal Communities [2]

Women of Reproductive Age (15-49 years) [1]

UNFPA In Odisha

Empowering Communities, Advancing Rights

The 10th country programme envisions an India where every woman and young person, particularly the most vulnerable, achieves gender equality, fully realises their sexual and reproductive health rights, and contributes to sustainable development.

Since 1999

UNFPA India has worked with the Government of Odisha to strengthen health systems, empower women and youth, and promote SRHR for all.

Since 1999

Three Goals

Ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Three Goals

Strategic Approach

Leveraging data intelligence, building partnerships, and driving impactful programmes to support state’s development goals while advancing the ICPD Programme of Action.

Strategic Approach

Our Focus Areas and Programmes

UNFPA India’s interventions in Odisha focus on advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, promoting gender equality, empowering young people, and supporting evidence-based policymaking to create more inclusive and resilient communities.

 

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

UNFPA in Odisha is committed to ensuring equitable access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare for all. Our initiatives aim to address critical needs and deliver meaningful, sustainable improvements in health and well-being.

  • Expanding Family Planning Services: We work with the Department of Health and Family Welfare to ensure wider access to the two new contraceptive options— single-rod subdermal implant and the subcutaneous DMPA injection. By expanding the basket of choice, these methods empower women with greater autonomy over their reproductive health. Strengthening monitoring and review systems further ensures seamless access and high-quality care.
  • Improving Reproductive Health Access: Our goal is to strengthen the health system for better access to integrated, client-friendly reproductive health services and ensure that everyone, especially young people, has the information and services they need to make informed reproductive choices.
  • Responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Survivors of GBV must have access to quality healthcare. We are enhancing the health sector’s response to GBV to ensure survivors receive the necessary support.

Leaving No One Behind

UNFPA Odisha, is fostering strategic partnerships to advance the ICPD Programme of Action by addressing vulnerabilities and building resilience across communities. In collaboration with local institutions, efforts are underway to activate, nurture, and strengthen Adivasi (Tribal) collectives by leveraging system-led platforms that enable their participation and leadership. At the same time, partnerships with faith-based institutions are being nurtured to catalyse inclusive, value-driven change. These efforts are rooted in the belief that dignity, equity, and inclusion must be at the heart of development.

Policy and Advocacy 

UNFPA Odisha works together with the Government in advancing policies that are data-driven, gender-responsive, and inclusive. Key initiatives include the formulation of the FP2030 Roadmap, which expands contraceptive choice and access across priority districts; sustained advocacy for a State Policy to Boost Female Labour Force Participation, aimed at addressing structural barriers to women’s economic empowerment. A joint review of the State Action Plan to End Child Marriage is also underway to strengthen protections for adolescents and accelerate progress toward ending harmful practices.

Youth and Adolescents

Youth and Adolescents

Empowering Tribal Adolescents: In partnership with the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI), five Life-Skills Education (LSE) Labs have been established across residential hostels and tribal communities, reaching over 20,000 adolescents. These labs provide safe, participatory spaces that go beyond traditional teaching: encouraging leadership, civic engagement, critical thinking, and the co-creation of solutions.

Life-Skills Education: Our goal is to help adolescents make informed decisions through a comprehensive LSE programme. Designed to meet international standards, this initiative equips young people with the knowledge and skills they require to navigate challenges confidently. We are proud to implement this with the School Health and Wellness Programme (SHWP).

Expanding Education Systems for Young People with Disabilities: In partnership with the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), a Disability Innovation and Experience Lab (DIEL) has been established as a space for inclusive learning, using assistive technologies to support adolescents with disabilities in accessing life skills education. A curated LSE curriculum tailored to their needs, will be introduced across 104 special schools. This initiative aims to make education more accessible and responsive, ensuring no adolescent is left behind.

 

Gender and Social Norms

Gender and Social Norms

At the heart of our work is a commitment to transforming gender norms and building a safer, more inclusive world for women and girls:

  • Strengthening Women and Girl Friendly Panchayats in Scheduled Areas: UNFPA Odisha is developing and testing a model of Women/Girl Friendly Panchayats in Scheduled Areas to promote gender-inclusive local governance. The initiative aims to generate evidence for state-level advocacy and eventual upscaling across all Panchayats.
  • Social Empowerment of Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) under Mission Shakti: In collaboration with Mission Shakti, UNFPA is enhancing digital and financial literacy among WSHG members and linking them to commercial e-platforms to support their social and economic empowerment. The programme also promotes awareness of legal rights and available protections against violence and discrimination.
  • Gender Transformative Approach to Disaster Risk Resilience: UNFPA Odisha, in collaboration with the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), is working to integrate gender-responsive approaches into DRR efforts to promote inclusive climate solutions and develop gender-inclusive governance models. We are also strengthening institutional frameworks by training community volunteers and establishing a dedicated Gender and Inclusion Cell. We aim to embed gender-sensitive perspectives into policies to ensure a more equitable and resilient response to disasters, focused on empowering communities at all levels.
Population Dynamics

Population Dynamics

  • Advocacy for an Ageing-Inclusive Odisha: In collaboration with the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), UNFPA is supporting the revision of the State Policy for Ageing. This includes strengthening demographic profiling, defining policy implementation processes, identifying national, and global best practices.
  • Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence for People-Centred Planning: UNFPA Odisha is leveraging geospatial technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen demographic analysis and planning. A custom-built digital platform uses satellite imagery and advanced algorithms to track population trends, urbanisation, and maternal health outcomes. These tools help generate real-time insights for targeted interventions—enabling the state to respond more effectively to shifting demographic needs.
  • Centralising Demographic Intelligence: We partner with the Department of Planning and Convergence to integrate demographic data into sustainable development planning, ensuring that it is central to the decision-making processes.
  • Enhancing Data Accessibility: We make population data and its linkages to development schemes easily accessible to key stakeholders, including government officials, legislators, CSOs, the private sector, media, academia, and the general public. We aim to enable more effective service delivery mechanisms that respond to population shifts.
  • Creating a Demographic Portal: We have developed a user-friendly online platform featuring GIS/Geo-Spatial data and comprehensive information on demographics and development indicators.
  • Building Data Literacy: We have created a learning course to equip policymakers and administrators with the skills and knowledge to optimally understand and utilize demographic data.

Vision 2027: Measurable Impact

Leave No One Behind

Establish expertise on LNOB with demographic and data intelligence at the heart of programming

Leave No One Behind

Accelerate progress on UNFPA's three transformative results and the ICPD mandate through advocacy and policy

Partnerships That Shaped Our Journey

Nodal Government Departments


Department of Health and Family Welfare

Department of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes

Department of Women and Child Development

Department of Mission Shakti

Odisha State Disaster Management Authority

Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

Department of Planning and Convergence

State Institute of Rural Development

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Sources

[1] Population Projections, GOI, 2019

[2] Census of India, 2011