Thousands of women, 30 cities, and one protest: This is what the #IWillGoOut marches looked like

Women all over India chanted "Freedom, Freedom, Freedom" as they reclaimed the streets. Photo: Instagram/TarunChawla

The incident of mass molestation in Bengaluru was the last straw on the camel's back. When the rest of the world was ringing in the New Year, women were getting groped and molested. The bystanders on that fateful night might have just ignored that incident, but it has sparked a revolution everywhere else.

On January 21, 2017, women in over 30 cities in India went out and reclaimed what's theirs--the streets and their rights. From the capital New Delhi to Kolkata in the east, Chennai in the south and Mumbai in the west--activists, students, and professionals marched together for equality for women.

The march, which was publicised under #IWillGoOut, also coincided with Women's March on Washington, making it a huge symbol of solidarity and sisterhood all over the world.

The protest rally aimed at telling the society that women have the same rights as men, and staying at home won't solve anything. The more women came out on the streets, the more it will become safer. 

Here's what the protest rally in some of the cities in India looked like:

Delhi

Photo Courtesy:Instagram/TarunChawlaPhotography

Photo Courtesy: Instagram/TarunChawla

Delhi women gathered on a cold winter evening to demand safer public spaces, while subverting the long patriarchal legacy of violence against women. They may have been small in number, but they have definitely started a discourse on public safety. Even though these women walked the streets of Connaught Place, guarded by police and RAF officials, they made it clear that they won't be stopped.

Hyderabad

Photo Courtesy: Instagram/waruncumar

Over 200 women gathered at Jal Vihar in Hyderabad marched up to People's Plaza holding placards and raising slogans. With slogans and banners, the women protested against the mentality that believes in keeping women caged for their safety.

Pondicherry

Photo Courtesy: Instagram/ayeshaaccessories

In a humble attempt to capture the spirit of diversity, women of Pondicherry marched with their fellow sisters across 30 cities in India to reclaim public spaces. This placard smashes the very notion that blames a woman's apparel for molestation and rape.

Ahmedabad

Photo:Reuters

Photo: Reuters

Seeking to make public spaces safer, more than 100 participants were part of the march in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Members of the LGBTQ community also joined in solidarity with the movement.

Pune

Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Bernielim

Women in Pune had only a very important message for the society--a woman's body is her own and no man is entitled to it. 

Bengaluru

300 people gathered in Bengaluru to march in solidarity against the brutality that ensued on New Year's Eve. Photo: Reuters

Photo Coutesy: Instagram/SoumyaBhat

After all, here better to reclaim public spaces in India than at railway stations?

The peaceful march of 300 people began from Bangalore City Railway Station and continued up to Freedom Park. With no organisational funds to back them, but just the anger against the patriarchal mindset that dates back to thousands of years, women took to roads with posters saying 'I Will Go Out'.

Women have a lot to reclaim--their rights, bodies, streets, and their home. And, this is how it all starts. When one women comes out, she makes the streets safer for the next women. If all of us came out, there will nothing to be afraid of because we will all have each other's back. It might seem as extremely ideal, but definitely possible.