Kerala women march at night to ‘reclaim’ public spaces

On Nirbhaya’s 7th death anniversary, Kerala women marched at night to ‘reclaim’ public spaces.

It was 11 pm on Sunday (December 29) and the Manaveeyam Veedhi in Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) was bustling with unusual activity. Women from all walks of life had gathered on one end of the road for a ‘night walk’ on the 7th death anniversary of Nirbhaya.

The walk, which was to proclaim their freedom and to assert that the ‘night belonged to them too’ was simultaneously held in 22 centres across the state. The Manaveeyam Veedhi was where the largest gathering had turned up.

The programme was announced on December 26 by Kerala’s Minister for Health and Social Welfare KK Shailaja, The New Minute reported. The walk was part of the programme ‘Sadhairyam Munnottu’ (Go forth, bravely).

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The march intended to inspire women to reclaim public places which largely remained inaccessible to women.

Sources said the shadow wing of the Kerala police had done a stakeout of the entire route and plainclothes men were deployed to ensure foolproof security.

Civil servants Divya S Iyer and TV Anupama; Kerala Chalachitra Academy vice-president Beena Paul; writer CS Chandrika; and film-maker Vidhu Vincent were among the prominent people who took part in the protest.

Volunteers will take hold more walks across the state to maintain momentum.