When Delhi Walked in Large Numbers to Reclaim the Night for Women

“We never see women out that late but men move freely. That’s the sense of freedom we’re aiming for,” said Srishti.

The walk was CrossBow Miles’ 5th night walk.

(Photo Courtesy: Vibhor Yadav)

Srishti Bakshi, Founder of CrossBow Miles, on 4 March, received an encouraging turnout for a night walk in Delhi. The walk was CrossBow Miles’ 5th night walk organised in cities that it covers on its on-foot journey through India – and is aimed at reclaiming the night as a safe place for women in the city.

The walk was CrossBow Miles’ 5th night walk organised in cities that it covers on its on-foot journey through India.

This night walk was organised from India Gate to Janpath covering a distance of 3 km from 6 pm to 9 pm.

The night walk was organised in association with the National Commission for Women (NCW) that has supported and partnered the movement throughout the 3,800 km journey.

This night walk was organised from India Gate to Janpath covering a distance of 3 km from 6 pm to 9 pm.

About 15,000 people participated in the event – including those who came to listen to the speeches, watch the videos, the play, etc. People gathered in largely two batches –those who joined at the outset and went for the walk (close to 6,000 people), and those turned up later and waited for Srishti to return.

A play performed by Sukmanch Theatre added to the highlights of the evening.

A play performed by Sukmanch Theatre added to the highlights of the evening.

The idea was born from my walk at night during this journey in Bangalore. It’s an eerie feeling to head out late into the night. We never see women being out that late but we see men moving around so freely. It is the sense of freedom that we’re aiming for. These night walks are initiated to reclaim the night as a safe place for women in India and bring back the freedom that they deserve.

Srishti Bakshi

“These night walks are initiated to reclaim the night as a safe place for women in India,” said Srishti.

The movement has organised night walks in four cities so far – namely Bangalore, Hyderabad, Nagpur and Gwalior. Delhi has been the 5th city for this walk.

The walk in the capital was in association with the National Commission for Women and was flagged off by the Chairperson, Mrs Rekha Sharma.

The walk in the capital was in association with the National Commission for Women and was flagged off by the Chairperson, Mrs Rekha Sharma.

We’ve seen issues of women feeling unsafe in public spaces at night – but when it comes to Delhi, the instances of crimes against women are of staggering proportions. The citizens here understand the alarming situation and have been very welcoming to us. The recent initiatives by the local authorities are also very encouraging – the safety app, the self-defence classes, the additional buses, the helpline number – to name a few.

Srishti Bakshi

“When it comes to Delhi, the instances of crimes against women are of staggering proportions,” said Srishti.

The campaign involves an on-foot journey through India undertaken by Srishti, that covers 3,800 kms from Kanyakumari to Srinagar, to make India safer and better for women.

The campaign aims to drive awareness in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and J&K, which will be the route for her entire walk.

The campaign involves an on-foot journey through India that covers 3,800 kms from Kanyakumari to Srinagar.

The campaign has so far resulted in Srishti engaging with over 25,000 people in the last 160 days – including students, teachers, district collectors, activists and state police.

With over 66 million steps clocked on the CrossBow Miles app and with over 2,800 kms covered by Srishti on foot already, this campaign has been unfolding a host of benefits to women and children across different causes.

The campaign has so far resulted in Srishti engaging with over 25,000 people in the last 160 days.

The partners who are extending their support to this initiative and powering this campaign are the National Commission for Women (NCW), L&T, Vivel #AbSamjhautaNahin, GAIL Hawa Badlo, IOCL Ujjwala (PMUY), and Dettol and Harpic Banega Swachh India.

In addition, rural workshop support has been provided with Internet Saathi by Google and Tata Trusts.

Over 66 million steps have been clocked on the CrossBow Miles app, with over 2,800 kms covered by Srishti on foot already.