Women in this country are marching for their right to go out
On Jan. 21, the world was taken over by women's marches. Or so it seems.
While America marched against President Trump, Indian women took to the streets to reclaim their right to public spaces.
SEE ALSO: Bangalore's 'Night of Shame': Mass molestation in India's Silicon Valley on New Year's Eve
What started as a Facebook thread following the Bangalore mass-molestation on New Year's Eve has now snowballed into a nationwide movement called 'I Will Go Out'.
More than 20 Indian cities including the national capital of New Delhi, metros Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, and even smaller towns like Bhopal and Lucknow, witnessed hordes of women across age groups spilling out on the streets with placards and posters bearing strong messages against sexual harassment and gender inequality.
Image: TWITTER SCREENGRAB
Bengaluru women won’t let molesters keep them at home, insist ‘I Will Go Out’ https://t.co/RQW1vsXEQP pic.twitter.com/egM979piu9
— Sabrang (@sabrangindia) January 12, 2017
The protest marches have been organized by a collective of women’s rights groups known as I Will Go Out "in solidarity against sexual harassment and misogyny and to reclaim women’s right to safe public spaces." The group has been actively using social media platforms to galvanize crowds across the country.
The official national poster of #IWillGoOut is up! JOIN US on the streets in YOUR city on the 21st! #YesAllWomen #WomensMarch #India pic.twitter.com/AdhChHJgms
— I Will Go Out (@iwillgoout2017) January 16, 2017
As more and more women took to the streets, chants of "din bhi hamara, raat bhi hamari" (days and nights both belong to us), "goondagardi nahi sahenge" (we won't tolerate hooliganism) and many hard-hitting slogans echoed in the air.
In some parts of the country, the men joined as well.
#Bhopal women & folks reclaiming public streets along with 30cities#IWillGoOut @iwillgoout2017 #fearless pic.twitter.com/r3fQd2EVZd
— Kokila Bhattacharya (@KokilaB) January 21, 2017
There has been huge support for the movement that seems to have cut across demographic divides. And social media is inundated with live updates from the marches.
Women in India say #IWillGoOut. Assert their right to reclaim public spaces. #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/GPAHnpR82L
— The Filmy Babe (@filmybabemag) January 22, 2017
More glimpses from the #IWillGoOut Mumbai chapter. @iwillgoout2017 #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/aWGtCKV1y4
— Nasty Woman (@PWNeha) January 22, 2017
Delhi women were loud and proud at the #WomensMarch yesterday. And I was proud to be a part of it #IWillGoOut 👯#Delhi #India pic.twitter.com/pAEDGUnDoZ
— Sunny Mangat (@mangat_sunny) January 22, 2017
Women chant for freedom and demand safety in public spaces at a march in New Delhi on Saturday. #IWillGoOut #WomensMarchDelhi pic.twitter.com/L8qbAhZRRI
— Nita Bhalla (@nitabhalla) January 21, 2017
Rising in solidarity with @womensmarch and @iwillgoout2017 in #ChiangMai #WomensMarch #IWillGoOut #SisterMarch with @BettyBarkha @FaiSuluck pic.twitter.com/HTPV3sgr7Q
— Neha (@_Neha_G) January 22, 2017
Our sisters in Thrissur, Kerala! #IWillGoOut pic.twitter.com/rDkT7TpDZ9
— I Will Go Out (@iwillgoout2017) January 21, 2017
Joined the #WomensMarch in Hyderabad to reclaim public spaces and in solidarity with women everywhere. #IWillGoOut because it's my space. pic.twitter.com/AyLoN92dZ5
— Natasha Ramarathnam (@nuts2406) January 21, 2017
#IWillGoOut because this is not only the call of the time, but also the call of my soul! @FoundationMf @PRIA_India @iwillgoout2017 pic.twitter.com/WUwiU3l5Qz
— Akhila Betsy George (@betsyakhila) January 23, 2017
#Mumbai shouts out loud #IWillGoOut! pic.twitter.com/vePy64Vhq3
— I Will Go Out (@iwillgoout2017) January 21, 2017
Here's to revolution!
