Paree Express, a campaign on wheels, travels across Odisha to raise awareness against sexual abuse

15 specially-designed vehicles named, Paree Express, are travelling the length and breadth of Odisha to create awareness against rising incidents of sexual harassment of women and girls.

Bhubaneswar, June 7: These days, 15 specially-designed vehicles named, Paree Express, are travelling the length and breadth of Odisha to create awareness against rising incidents of sexual harassment of women and girls in the state and the country.

The 15-day-long campaign, started in late May, is an initiative of the state police and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Talking about the campaign titled--"Paree Pain Katha Tiye"--against child sexual abuse, the police told ANI, "Cases of sexual harassment of minors are increasing day by day. We are doing this campaign so that such cases can be reduced."

#Odisha: Paree Express, a campaign on wheels, has been launched by police & UNICEF to create awareness on sexual harassment of minor girls. Police says, 'Cases of sexual harassment of minors are increasing day by day. We are doing this campaign so that such cases can be reduced'. pic.twitter.com/Xzd21lfmWo

— ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2018

Last month, chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik unveiled the logo and theme song of the campaign at the state police headquarters in Bhubaneshwar.

"I am happy to flag off Paree Express that will go for a 15-day awareness campaign against child sexual abuse. The state government has taken a number of initiatives to check such heinous crimes. I thank the UNICEF and the Odisha police and wish for the success of the campaign," said the CM.

"We have always tried to protect girl children and women in the state. I hope the mega campaign will be a success," said DGP RP Sharma.

All the 15 vehicles will visit 30 districts of the state to create awareness about the rising cases of sexual abuse of girls and women. The vehicles are equipped with LED screens and projectors.

During their stops at various "vulnerable pockets"-- from where cases of sexual abuse have been reported--the vehicles will play audio-visual clips on women and girls' safety measures and sensitise people about various stringent laws to deal with sexual abuse.

"Leaflets and other printed materials will also be distributed during the campaign. Each van would cover two districts. All the vehicles will converge in Bhubaneswar on June 12 for the valedictory function," stated a report by Odisha TV.