The Disha App has witnessed over 1.26 lakh downloads in the city on Wednesday. Police teams also fanned across the city, conducting awareness meets at educational institutions, workplaces and public places as part of the drive. Mr Mallikarjuna said that around 8 lakh people in the district had downloaded the app, but only 5.15 lakh have registered themselves. "Registering will be more beneficial," the Collector said.

He said that the POCSO Act is a deterrent and said the State government is giving priority to women's security, safety and empowerment. Women hold several essential posts in the State, he noted. Commissioner of Police Ch. Srikanth said that more women were coming forward to report cases of assault against them thanks to several initiatives taken by the government to remove the stigma attached to sexual assault cases and bridge the gap between the public and the police.

Students from various colleges shared their experiences with using the Disha App during the programme.

The app helps women approach police with just a click and prevent a crime in case of an emergency, Mr Srikanth said. "Though it is designed to protect women, even men can also install and use it since it has an SOS feature," he added.

Mayor G. Hari Venkata Kumari, MLC V. Kalyani, GVMC Commissioner G. Lakshmisha, Visakhapatnam MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar, Joint Collector K.S. Swaminathan, DCP Sumit Garud, and women corporators were present.

Addressing a gathering at the VMRDA Children's Arena in the city on Wednesday, Collector A. Mallikarjuna stressed the need to create more awareness on installing the Disha App to ensure a safe for providing a, secure environment for women and girl children in the district. He said that the app would help instil confidence among women.