To drive home the message of the urgent need to ‘Save the girl child’ and raise awareness on the steadily declining child sex ratio, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has now decided to display awareness advertisements on its buses across the state. Stickers with messages, like ‘Beti Bachao’, would also be displayed on the seats and inside buses.
“The initiative is a part of ‘Beti ki Udaan’ campaign that aims to make people aware of the adverse affect of the female foeticide,” said UPSRTC managing director Mukesh Meshram, while launching the drive in association with NGO Hamsafar from Tourist Bhawan here on Wednesday.
“Child sex ratio is on decline and it’s our collective responsibility to take corrective measures to check the evil practice. As per the Census 2011, for every 1,000 boys there are just 940 girls. In Uttar Pradesh, the situation is even more disturbing as here for 1,000 boys there are just 908 girls,” Meshram said.
{{/usCountry}}“Child sex ratio is on decline and it’s our collective responsibility to take corrective measures to check the evil practice. As per the Census 2011, for every 1,000 boys there are just 940 girls. In Uttar Pradesh, the situation is even more disturbing as here for 1,000 boys there are just 908 girls,” Meshram said.
{{/usCountry}}Sharing the details of the campaign, the UPSRTC MD said: “The state-run buses have wide reach and therefore could be a major tool to spread the word. Stickers to be displayed on the buses would not just bear awareness slogans and messages, but also state the shocking facts, which have emerged in the last Census.”
Besides, the public transport system would also be used to raise awareness of the need for women’s safety and popularise the Women Helpline number 1090.
Under the statewide campaign, NGO Hamsafar is also planning to rope in 25 city colleges and constitute watch committees to spread public awareness. They are also trying to rope in auto rickshaws to take the campaign further.