Women of Worth (WOW), the Chennai based NGO behind Dark is Beautiful Campaign, announced the delivery of more than 22000 signatures against UNFAIR advertising to EMAMI, the makers of Fair and Handsome cream. Present at the press conference organized by WOW, was actor Ms. Tannishtha Chatterjee, Ms. Preethi Herman from Change.org and Ms. Kavitha, Founder & Director of WOW.
The campaign which had its beginning in 2009, went viral in 2013, and more specifically in July as the issue was placed on a social media platform in partnership with Change.org. Presently, more than 22,000 people have signed the petition requesting cosmetics company Emami and SRK to suspend an ad campaign for “Fair and Handsome” that targets youth with the message that fairer skin will make them more confident and successful.
At the time of writing, efforts made by the campaigners to garner a response from Shah Rukh Khan and Emami have been unsuccessful . They have not been granted an appointment or made a formal statement in response to the queries from campaign staffers.
In a letter to Emami, campaign organisers wrote, “Our hope is that, Emami, a popular and trusted Indian brand, will consider the issue of skin colour bias in our society and be the first to take a stand against it and lead the change towards a society that appreciates and values people of all skin tones. The reason we have asked your company to lead the change is not to deface the organisation, but to urge you to see the social implications of the fairness product industry and the subsequent advertising that claims that fair skin is a prerequisite for success or beauty.”
Actor Tannistha Chatterjee urged SRK to give a hearing to fans worldwide who are asking him to take a stand. “I grew up admiring SRK for his talent, hard work and confidence. He is a self-made man and an example to our youth. What he says will make a difference!”
More than fifty Dark is Beautiful campaigners will travel by bus on Saturday, 16th November,
to Emami Towers , Situations Advertsing and Red Chilies, and request
a face-to-face meeting to hand over the petition. Supporters, who have
signed up to be color blind, are expected to gather at the petition
delivery sites, and dancers and doodle artists will give creative expression
to the message that “beauty is beyond colour.”
Kavitha Emmanuel, Director of Women of Worth, the Chennai-based group
that launched the Dark is Beautiful campaign in 2009, says,
“We hope that brands and brand ambassadors will listen to the united
voices that are calling for new attitudes and new products that appreciate
the diverse skin tones of our country.”
Preethi Herman, Country Lead for Change.org said that, “this campaign is yet another example of Change.org
users holing powerful corporations accountable.” She announced that
in addition to www.change.org/darkisbeautiful
Panasonic Experience Center is DISB’s venue partner
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About WOW: Women of Worth (WOW) is a network empowering women
to be agents of change. Based in Chennai, WOW trains students in soft
skills such soas media literacy, gender issues and personality development.
WOW initiated the “Dark is Beautiful” campaign in 2009. 
