International Women’s Day 2026 Celebrated in Bhubaneswar with the Theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”
News,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar, March 8, 2026:International Women’s Day was celebrated in Bhubaneswar on March 8, 2026, under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action.
For ALL Women and Girls.” The programme was organised under the banner “SAMPURNA” through a collaborative effort of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, National Urban Health Mission, Centre for Advocacy and Research, Government Women’s College, Bhubaneswar, and the Urban Metropolitan Surveillance Unit. The event also promoted awareness around the ongoing Swachh Survekshan 2025–26 campaign, encouraging citizens to participate in improved sanitation and waste management practices.
The programme was graced by several distinguished dignitaries including Surama Padhy, Sulochana Das, Manjulata Kanhar, and Chanchal Rana.
The celebration witnessed the participation of nearly 600 individuals, including representatives from civil society organisations, community groups, municipal officials, and citizens from across the city.
The day began with a women’s Pada Yatra (march) that started at Master Canteen Square at 7:00 a.m. and concluded at the premises of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation. The march aimed to highlight the role of women in building healthier, cleaner, and more inclusive urban communities while spreading awareness about civic responsibilities and public health initiatives.
In the evening, a cultural programme and award ceremony were organised at Utkal Mandap on Sachivalaya Marg at 6:30 p.m.
The ceremony recognised the contributions of women leaders, community volunteers, and civic champions who have played an important role in advancing public health, sanitation, and community awareness across Bhubaneswar.
As part of the celebration, an information and awareness stall was set up showcasing several key themes including wet and dry waste segregation, people’s advocacy, water and sanitation value chain, heat wave preparedness, and waste-to-art initiatives. The stall displayed a range of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, including resources on disability-inclusive signage, the Saniclimi Wall initiative, the Janhit Vani toll-free helpline (8800421444), QR code–based information access, participatory resource assessment maps, and health awareness materials on dengue and other seasonal diseases.
These exhibits were jointly facilitated by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, National Urban Health Mission, Centre for Advocacy and Research, Government Women’s College, Bhubaneswar, and the Urban Metropolitan Surveillance Unit, demonstrating collaborative efforts to strengthen public awareness and community engagement around urban health and environmental sustainability.
The stall and exhibits were visited by Sulochana Das, ManjulataKanhar, Kailash Chandra Das, N. Ganesh Babu, and Dr. Arpita Das, along with 45 ward corporators and nearly 460 community members from different parts of the city.
The celebration highlighted the collective commitment of city authorities, civil society organisations, and community leaderships towards promoting women’s leadership, advancing health and sanitation awareness, and strengthening citizen participation in building a cleaner, safer, and more equitable Bhubaneswar.
