‘SHE Team’ on the patrol in Odisha

To ensure safety of women, girls

‘SHE Team’ being flagged off by Justice K.R. Mohapatra in Paralakhemundi on Friday.

‘SHE Team’, the innovative pilot project launched by Odisha’s Gajapati district police in Paralakhemundi started functioning from Friday to ensure safety and security of young girls and women.

Justice K.R.Mohapatra of the Orissa High Court formally flagged off the ‘SHE Team’ at a colourful function held at Biju Patnaik Kalyan Mandap of Paralakhemundi. Since June 24, a massive awareness drive about the project had been taken up in Gajapati’s district headquarter town, Paralakhemundi.

The theme song of ‘SHE Team’ sung by Gajapati Superintendent of Police Sarah Sharma has already drawn much attention. The young IPS officer used her Hindustani classical skills learnt during her student days in Cuttack. Its lyric was written by female inspector Mamata Nayak. This theme song was launched on June 25 and logo of the project was released the previous day. There were competitions among students and rallies to popularise concept of ‘SHE Team’ in Paralakhemundi.

SHE stands for ‘Safety, Health and Environment’. This project is modelled on the lines of Hyderabad ‘SHE Team’, said Ms. Sharma. The ‘SHE Team’ of Paralakhemundi is headed by a lady sub-inspector and includes mobile patrolling teams. Four female and three male police personnel will assist her. They will patrol schools, colleges, other local institutions and public places, where young girls and women are allegedly subjected to eve teasing, stalking and harassment.

Website launched

The website of ‘SHE Team’ has been launched and a mobile app is under construction. At the time of distress, women of Paralakhemundi can contact ‘SHE Team’ through its website 'sheteamgajapati.com', landline number 06815-222388 or by WhatsApp number 9438916707. The website and phone numbers are being publicised through social media and other means.

‘SHE Team’ will also try to prevent harassment of working women at workplaces and public places where they move for their job. It will teach self defence and cyber space safety to young girls and children.

It will visit child care institutions and make children aware about sexual abuse.