Truecaller and News18 Network culminate ItsNotOk campaign against women harassment

Truecaller & News18 Network culminate their six-month-long #ItsNotOK campaign against harassment of women with the unveiling of #CallItOut wall & a Run to EmpowHER. The culmination was in partnership with Delhi Police saw participation from dignitaries such as BhupenderYadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, RakeshAsthana, Commissioner of Police, Delhi, MandiraBedi, SagarPreetHooda, Special Commissioner For Police (Law & Order), Delhi extending their support towards the need to take action against harassment. Over 500 citizens came together to run for the cause to reclaim safety in digital communications and the real world. The Ministry of Culture has also extended their support to the campaign under the AzadikaAmritMahotsav celebrations.

Unveiling the #CallItOut wall at the Civil Lines Police Station, RakeshAsthana, Commissioner of Delhi Police lauded the efforts and impact of the #ItsNotOk campaign and cited the law enforcement’s commitment to creating a sense of safety to empower women to call out harassment. Developed by the Delhi Street Art, the mural art signifies stories of brave women who have taken action against harassment and the support of law enforcement towards ensuring safety in both the physical and the more complex world of digital communications. The artwork will further engage citizens across the city as it will be carried and displayed on the rear windscreens of the Delhi Police Emergency Helpline Vehicles.

Following this, the Run to EmpowHER saw elaborate participation from citizens, policymakers, law enforcement and influencers who came together to express their support for the cause and run on a route designed in the shape of ‘ITS NOT OK’. The run was symbolic of women reclaiming their right to safety in everyday life with the support of Delhi Police personnel and fellow men running by their side highlighting the need for collective action and responsibility towards putting an end to harassment. The energy and enthusiasm of the run continued as runners shared updates from the event, their personal stories and their commitment to safety for women across social media platforms spreading more awareness and enlightening the masses.

Speaking at the flag-off of #ItsNotOK Run to EmpowHER, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change said, “India is rising as a global power, however the realisation of this power would not be truly complete if women continue to be discriminated against or be subjected to harassment. It is important to realise that we just can’t leave the burden of speaking out and fighting harassment and discrimination in all spheres of life purely on women. Men have to engage as allies in fighting harassment as a basic responsibility of a human being. There has to be an enabling environment for women to be able to freely live, work and just be themselves as humans. The realisation of that enabling environment is everyone’s responsibility. The onus of fighting this battle is on each one of us as responsible citizens and not just women facing harassment alone.”

Mandira Bedi, Bollywood Actress who also joined the Run to EmpowHER on Sunday, said, “Every woman has faced harassment of some form in their life. While we have been told to silently endure, ignore or block such incidents, it is important to call it out. There are many ways to call out harassment. There are apps like Truecaller that tell you the number of the person who is calling. My message to women is that they should call out harassment because it’s not okay.”