5 days ago
Delhi Women Walk, Sing and Draw to Reclaim Midnight
About 60 women walked together through Delhi at night.
They talked, laughed, and sang songs as they moved through Vasant Kunj.
Later, they stopped to draw pictures and messages on large sheets of paper.
Their messages said that women should be able to use public spaces at night too.
The walk was organized by Women Walk at Midnight, which began in 2016.
The event followed protests about an alleged gangrape in Delhi.
Police officers traveled with the group for safety.
The organizers wanted people to become used to seeing women walking outside late.
At the end, participants planned how to travel home together.
About 60 women walked through Vasant Kunj from 9:30 pm on Thursday.
The Women Walk at Midnight initiative was launched in 2016.
Participants sang songs and drew messages including “Reclaim the Night.”
Delhi Police accompanied the group after organizers requested cooperation.
Organizers said repeated night walks can make women’s presence after dark more ordinary.
- Who
- About 60 women, organizers from Women Walk at Midnight, and accompanying Delhi Police personnel.
- What
- The women walked, sang, and created drawings and messages to assert women’s right to occupy public spaces at night.
- Where
- Vasant Kunj in Delhi, including Vasant Arcade, Pocket 2, Sector C, and C-9 Market.
- When
- The walk began at 9:30 pm on a Thursday, with participants continuing toward midnight; the article identifies the event as taking place around October 1.
- Why
- The organizers sought to make women being outside late more visible, familiar, and ordinary amid continuing concerns about women’s safety and freedom of movement.
Women’s nighttime freedom
Safety concerns and restrictions
Using public space at night
Women’s nighttime freedom
Organizers and participants said women should be able to walk, enjoy the city, and occupy public spaces at night without needing special permission.
Safety concerns and restrictions
Participants described safety concerns, including questions about traveling home alone and the need to arrange carpools or travel together.
Meaning of the walk
Women’s nighttime freedom
Mallika Taneja characterized walking, singing, and drawing as joyful forms of resistance and a way to normalize women’s presence after dark.
Safety concerns and restrictions
The event took place amid protests and heightened concern following an alleged gangrape, with police accompanying the group for security.
Key facts
- Participants
- About 60 women
- Start time
- 9:30 pm
- Location
- Vasant Kunj, Delhi
- Organizer
- Women Walk at Midnight
- Initiative launched
- 2016
- Activities
- Walking, singing, drawing, and writing messages
- Police presence
- Delhi Police accompanied the group after organizers requested cooperation
Quotes
Mallika Taneja
Long-time organiser of Women Walk at Midnight
“Isn’t this just joyous and wonderful? Isn’t this a completely different way of occupying space, the city?”
indianexpress.com
“It started… as a desire, a thrill to be out at night as I wasn’t allowed to by my parents.”
indianexpress.com
Manjusha
First-time participant in the night walk
“Is anyone going towards Delhi Cantonment? How do you get home from here?”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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