Bhubaneswar: The state government's women and child development department has decided to organise a rigorous Ratha Campaign here under the Biju Kanya Ratna Yojna to spread awareness about gender equality and development of the girl child.

A mobile van will undertake a 14-day journey across the city as part of the campaign. It will have at least five stoppages and conduct audio and video shows along with a photography exhibition.

"We run this scheme in Dhenkanal, Angul and Ganjam after we discovered that the sex ratio and the school dropout rate among girls were high in those districts. We conduct the campaigns in the three districts and have decided to do the same here since people from across the state come here," said a department official.

She said the campaign would begin on March 8 and continue till March 21. "We have already decided on the route and the target population. We will hire a firm to run the campaign on our behalf. We are hopeful of a good result," said the official.

The government launched the scheme in 2016 with the aim of creating an environment conducive to the survival of the girl child, alongside securing their dignity with a focus on improving Odisha's sex ratio as well as enrolment and retention of girls in educational institutions by reducing dropout rates.

The state's child sex ratio has declined from 953 in 2001 the census to 941 in the 2011 census - its lowest since 1961. "There was an improvement in the general sex ratio, but the data is not good when it comes to child sex ratio and, as a result, the government decided to take steps," said the official.

Sources said the van would touch almost every locality during its 14-day tour with bus stop and railway station areas the primary focus.

"It is a good move to organise such campaigns. I hope that it will sensitise people," said social worker Alok Kar.