Blank Noise initiated Walk Alone invited individuals from across the globe to be Action Heroes by walking where they feel fear, or is unknown to them anytime between 9 pm and midnight. Each participating Action Hero came face to face with her story of fear in this process, each step , path, place a negotiation from fear to freedom. Action Heroes walked their streets from Chattisgarh, Medellin, Mumbai, Bangalore, Allahabad, Goa and more. This was the third Walk Alone, also in joint association with Why Loiter and Amnesty International India.
Just because India got freedom at midnight does not mean woman should venture out at midnight?#ReportingToRemember #BotsaSatyanarayana
#ReportingToRemember #Dr.AnitaShukla
Action Heroes Pledge To #WalkAlone
Freedom From Fear. Freedom From Warnings
There is no excuse for any sexual violence.
No justification. We are done being questioned. controlled. told.
I Never Ask For It
Walk Alone was initiated by Blank Noise in 2016. The third Walk Alone event, held on December 2nd, 2016 in association with Why Loiter and Amnesty International India.
Featuring 26 Action Heroes in their words and photographs.
Akeli Awaara Azaad / Alone Unattached and Free
Walk Alone Action Hero Becca Savory
Location: Dawlish , Devon, UK.
I chose to walk alone there only because it's where I live and I could walk straight out the door. It didn't feel challenging in the sense that it's not somewhere I feel at risk. It's not somewhere I'd ever be warned not to go (although people might think I'm the suspicious one, being out walking alone..!) But it was joyful and sensuous to walk in the dark through streets I know by daylight. And I took the track down to the sea wall, where it was dark except for distant lights. I walked along the sea wall with waves surging below and felt alive.
My feelings changed over the length of the walk. At the start I felt quite self-aware of the action and the ideas behind WalkAlone - the walk felt something like a performance. As it went on, I was jumpy and alert; pensive and overwhelmed; excited and eager to walk all night; and finally I felt relaxed - less like I was 'performing' the walk, and more like I was just doing it. And enjoying it. I felt I'd like to walk at that time more often - the town felt different, and the experience was refreshing.
I walked through streets I know well from daily life, but I'd never spent so long wandering them at that time of night. I felt curious, skittish, self-conscious. On the first part of my walk the area felt very lonely - I hardly saw anyone, and was startled when a man on a bicycle appeared suddenly behind me. It was familiar but changed, and my senses were on high alert. But on later parts of my walk, the town felt more comfortable and homely than I'd expected. It was comforting to see people out and about - even another woman walking alone with a pair of dogs. I had a conversation with two women waiting outside a night shelter to welcome anyone in who needed some support or respite. I hadn't really expected to meet anyone, so it felt more friendly and welcoming than I'd imagined. (Maybe it was also that I was more friendly and welcoming through being out on a meandering walk, and not *trying to get from A to B as usual). At the end of the walk I felt relaxed, refreshed, contented.
I got home feeling a bit reflective, but also happy that for me the journey had transitioned from something that felt 'serious' and self aware, into something that was a simpler kind of pleasure - less about the politics & significance. More about the physical experience. It left me feeling that I would enjoy walking at that time again - so often I get to the end of the day and just collapse, but this was a really energising, refreshing experience.
* Action Hero Becca walked alone for an hour.
Action Hero Vrushali Somavanshi
Location: Yelahanka New Town main road, Bangalore
I walked here because I had been harassed here before, and wanted to reclaim my space.
Initially I was not comfortable walking around an area so close to my house. I felt sceptical and alert. My phone battery had died and that made me quite nervous, I clutched on to the only pseudo weapon that I had which were a pair of keys. As I kept walking I did start feeling a bit okay, but that feeling quickly washed away due to several bad experiences of catcalling on that particular road. But as I moved forward I saw a few women nearby which made me feel safe. At the end of my Walk Alone I felt relieved proud independent.
I feel the need to rethink about how safe the place was and not just assume something bad was always going to happen. I felt better in a way and felt more free to get out at night.
* Action Hero Vrushali walked alone for 10 minutes
Walk Alone Action Hero Sukriti Suryavanshi
Location: Bandra, Mumbai, India
I live and work around Bandra . I walked there because these are spaces that I have been asked to not go alone, especially at night. I was excited, nervous and feeling adventurous as I began to walk alone.I noticed that I think a lot when I walk, that I enjoy my company. I held a hot beverage while I walked alone. I did not feel threatened . Maybe because the roads I walked on would fluctuate between silence and noise every 400 to 500 meters. There was one stretch over half a kilometer which was extremely desolate. I felt meek half way through it and really strong when I was done walking that stretch. After walking, I felt calm, happy and a part of something big. Is there a word for that?
* Action Hero Sukriti walked alone for 45 minutes
Walk Alone Action Hero Neha Singh
Location: Andheri West, Mumbai
I walked alone here because it is close to home, but quite deserted post midnight.
I was feeling apprehensive, lonely, adventurous before my Walk Alone. As I walked, I began to feel confident, happy and at peace. I noticed there were many streetlights, no clean public toilets. I was exhausted, peaceful, happy at the end of my walk.
* Action Hero Neha is a member of the Why Loiter movement. Neha walked alone for 2 hours
Walk Alone Action Hero Sameera Khan
Location: In central Mumbai (India) – Wadala East, Wadala West and Five Gardens, Matunga
I was curious to explore this area as I have often felt anxious here at night. I wanted to conquer my fears. As the time to walk neared, my anxiety rose. I had chosen an area that wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to me in the day. But at night, I had usually accessed it with someone else. It seemed to have a lot of dark spots, isn’t lit up particularly well at night, and it was an area crowded with tempo-truck traffic. It’s mainly a residential area - with several pockets of government/port trust employee housing, fairly vast slums, and new apartment blocks for middle class residents. Initially I walked at a faster speed especially when I noticed that predominantly the visible people on the street were men. I seemed to always slow down when I spotted a woman/women – always seen with male companion/s. Eventually I walked more at ease, ambling at points. This was particularly so when the places I passed were well-lit and had a mixed crowd of men and women. When I was the lone woman on the street and there were a fair amount of men around, I was watchful but calm. But when I was the lone woman and there were just one or two/three other men, I was quite anxious. At those times, every step behind me seemed ominous.
There was two positive experiences: 1. I was crossing a busy broad four lane road in Wadala. Halfway across, an older man next to me quietly held up his hand and said, “ Not know, don’t cross now, Traffic is fast here.” And then as traffic eased , he quietly said “ Now we cross” . He did this as we crossed two lanes of that busy arterial road and then quietly disappeared. He seemed to look out for me in a gentle manner and I appreciated it. 2. The open maidan at Five Gardens, Matunga was all lit up and several people were walking around there. Lounging, eating at the corner where street food (egg-pao) was available, chatting. But the centre of the maidan usually filled with men’s teams playing football or cricket had a large family of men, women, children playing several rounds of badminton. This sight so lifted my spirits that I spent several minutes watching them feeling quite elated at how city open space was being used for sport and recreation late at night.
The city seemed more deserted than I thought it would be at this hour. This was Central Mumbai close to midnight at the start of a weekend, yet was fairly empty. And where there were people they were only men, men and more men. Saw two women in a queue outside an ATM at 11 pm. Then three laughing women on the pillion seat of three motorbikes (they seemed to be a group). Then some women as part of a family playing badminton in Five gardens maidan. One other woman walking with a man. And, of course, women sleeping in some roadside shanties. That was it. Otherwise the places were so dominated by the presence of men that the absence of women was perceptibly felt. At Five gardens, there was an open air gymnasium in one corner of a large maidan and it was packed with men working out at close to midnight. No women here.
Largely, the places were not well-lit except in parts. Lots of cars/buses/trucks/tempos parked blocking access to pavements. Or in some places, the pavements were so blocked by pretty plants/trees, they cut street visibility. Or there were people sleeping on the pavements. So you felt more comfortable walking on the roads. Spotted one toilet block. Noticed that fast motorbikes took over the streets at night, roaring away with only male drivers. I didn't feel threatened by anyone on my walk but I wasn't entirely comfortable either. I think I need to do this more often in order to start feeling more at ease.
I got back feeling triumphant, contented, and happy. I was more than glad I had participated in this venture. I have walked/loitered in the city very often – but usually alone only in the day. At night when I have loitered, it’s usually been with male- female friends or women participants of the Why Loiter movement. Being in a group – even an all-female group – gives you more courage to access the streets fully. To stop for chai. Laugh more loudly. Feel a bit bolder. So this experiment to access the night in my city alone was challenging but also quite a learning experience. Afterwards, I felt slightly elated , my mind full of the possibilities of what a new city of the future could look like if more women accessed public space in the city and accessed the night in particular. How different my walk could have been if instead of just men, I had also met many other women loitering/walking alone. It would have made it a more inclusive city!
My final thought is this : more than the actual walking alone what really made me anxious was what you had asked us to do : document the walk using your cell phone. Taking out the cell phone and shooting pictures meant receiving extra attention from the men you met on the streets. But as I walked that fear sort of dissipated. I thought it would be virtually impossible to shoot a selfie on the dark streets but actually at one spot I did manage it (though I am not sharing that).
* Action Hero Sameera is also a member of the Why Loiter movement. Sameera Khan co authored the book, Why Loiter. Sameera walked alone for 80 minutes.
Walk Alone Action Hero Maria Del Rio
* The Action Hero Who Ran Alone
Location: El Tesoro neighborhood, Medellin, Colombia
I chose a place close to home . It is my usual running circuit.
I was scared at first. I was anxious. It was dark. I had many questions.
Usually at 9pm I'm home or out with people, but never alone running the streets.
I chose my usual running circuit, so I was familiar with the place. It's dark sidewalks are broken, so after the first 10 seconds, my biggest fear was falling and injuring my ankle. I crossed paths with 5 guys that were also running and a guy that was walking a dog. I also saw two couples (man and woman) walking. At the end of my Walk Alone , I felt empowered, happy, tired-energetic. Running activates me, so it took me a while to be able to sleep. I got home, lay in bed, thinking of 2016's accomplishments
* Action Hero Maria walked / ran alone for 34 min, 51 sec - 5.46km
Walk Alone Action Hero Eeshita Kapadiya
Location: Nagenhalli, Yelahanka
I walked through a road behind my apartment . I had never explored.
I was curious to know where the road led.I did have an ingrained sense of fear to my surroundings, and was suspicious of cars and figures even though they posed no visible threat to me.I started to feel comfortable after a while, as long as I saw no people. Once people were in the equation, fear would creep up again. However, since I walked with company, I was still relatively comfortable, but also felt protective towards my companions when I felt fearful myself. I was feeling excitement, purpose and peace before my walk alone. After my walk, I felt confident, conscious, aware. I got home knowing I wanted to walk alone more, and realized I would not have experienced what I had just experienced if not for the #WalkAlone. Since I had company, I was still comfortable, but this gave me confidence to venture out by myself.
* Action Hero Eeshita did her walk alone, in a group of three, for a duration of forty minutes.
Walk Alone Action Hero Satya Gummuluri
Location: Kreuzberg , Berlin, Germany.
I wanted to see a show in the Kreuzberg area. I felt unselfconscious.
I was in Berlin .I find it safe compared to other places I have been to. I was not threatened or did not feel unsafe.I was going to an area I haven't been to before in a city I don't live in, so I was mostly absorbed in figuring out directions. I also felt excited, proud, solidarity before doing the Walk Alone. After the walk I felt happy, buzzed, solidarity. I got home and didn't sleep until later... I was a bit buzzed with excitement! On the train back, i had seen an ad for a group that helps refugee women. (i tried searching for it online but haven't been successful). it talked about women connecting with refugee women and helping them navigate the city and new life. i was a bit emotional reading the ad. it is humbling to see the efforts of so many women working so hard at every level.
* Action Hero Satya walked for one hour.
Walk Alone Action Hero Nomita Khatri
Location: Succorro, Goa, India.
I walked from my apartment up to and then past the Succorro Church and onwards on the road hugging the Church deeper into the same area. I chose not to walk alone. I invited a (male) friend to walk with me and did that because of the anxiety I was feeling at the thought to having to traverse, what ended up being a completely unlit part of my planned walk. Had I been on my own I might not have chosen to walk that particular pathway.
I noticed the surprise (and care) of passing motorists on the dark patch of path we walked. I noticed that while I was the only woman walking the streets, in the areas lit my street lamps, I did not feel out-of-place. At the thela we stopped at along the way I listened to the track that was playing on the radio. The singer (a woman) asks her "pia" to "kheech mere photo" in a constant refrain. Chilli bhajji's were being fried hot and served to an all-male audience (excluding myself). There were times I knew I felt safe walking with a male friend, simply because I was looked at a lot more especially as the evening wore on. Curiosity prompted the looking - it not being common in villages off the tourist circuit to see a woman walk after dark. I did walk cross a nallah, to find deep in the shadows of two trees standing side-by-side two boys, with a new bottle of alcohol and recently filled glasses. Did I feel threatened? No. I did remind me of the ways in which I would find ways to do what I was told explicitly not to as a teenager / young adult. On the walk back, the drinking twosome, had swelled in number to about 5 boys a lot louder than before, cell phones and drinks in hand. There was a perceived uncertainty in if they ought to react or respond to encountering me walk past without changing my sauntering pace.
Before my Walk Alone I felt a sense of freedom, release, anxiety. After the event I felt rested, grounded, energetic.
I think I need to walk thrice a week again - to allow the thoughts of the week to settle in me as well as make that connection to myself while I walk. It needs to be an unthinking part of my weekly/ daily rhythm.
* Action Hero Nomita walked for two and half hours.
Walk Alone Action Hero Madhura Chakraborty
Location: Siolim, Goa, India.
Walk Alone documentation/ reflection to be updated.
Walk Alone Action Hero Vira Mistry
Location: Indiranagar in Defence Colony, Bangalore, India.
I was initially going to walk in Tipassandra, but I changed the location because it was my first Walk Alone and I wanted to be in a more familiar space. And even though it is home to me and I have grown up there, I rarely walk around at night after 9 and wanted to experience it. I was anxious, excited, curious.
It was raining and I had a big sweatshirt on and my hood was up. I kept wondering if I even looked like a girl, and whether if I was wearing something different i wouldn't feel as safe. I always feel cozy in a sweatshirt, so I was kind of in my comfort zone because of this. There was a moment where a bike pulled up by me and that was a little nerve racking. I didn't say anything but it definitely made me feel uncomfortable. Which is strange because I was walking around in my neighbourhood.
Defense Colony is a very familiar place to me. I've grown up walking around those streets however I rarely venture out after 9:30 by myself. Most of the roads weren't lit up. There were a few people walking but they were mostly men and cars driving by. The roads were relatively quiet. I got home feeling elated, bold, happy. It was very hard to fall asleep once I got back home. I felt like my heart was racing.
* Action Hero Vira walked for twenty minutes.
Walk Alone Action Hero Lisa Heissenberg
Location: Braunschweig, Inner city, Christmas Market, Germany.
I like walking in deserted places. It was cold and as I walked I got used to the cold. It seemed more like a ghost town the more lost drunkards accumulated there and the more cleaning personnel tried to polish it up. Before my walk I felt tired, somewhat full of expectation, and a bit whacked. Afterwards, I felt awake, refreshed, a little healthier. After the walk I slept like a dead person right after checking online who else had shared some insights in their walk.
* Action Hero Lisa walked alone for one and half hours.
Walk Alone Action Hero Rekha Nigam
Location: Mandir road, behind Guru Nanak hospital, Bandra East, Mumbai, India.
It’s a place known for muggings and chain snatching. we are always warned against walking alone through this stretch. At first, apprehension, then relaxation, followed by exhilaration. It was empty...there were a lot of shadows....initially, I was peering in the shadows...slowly, I could smell flowers, recognise bushes and even saw a stray dog I recognised. I think, I felt more empowered as I walked. I felt I could take on anybody.
By the end of my walk I felt empowered, fearless and free. I also felt connected to all the other women on similar journeys.
* Action Hero Rekha walked alone for twenty minutes.
Walk Alone Action Hero Tanvee Nabar
Location: Bandra Mumbai, India.
Walk Alone documentation/ reflection to be updated.
Action Hero Tanvee spoke to Swedish TV about her Walk Alone.
Watch video here . Report by Malin Mendel Westberg
Walk Alone Action Hero Gopika Bashi
Location: Bangalore, Indira Nagar, Bangalore, India.
I walk past that spot during the day every day and chose to walk there that night.
Walking alone helps me process and reflect- realised I hadn't done it in a while (that late at night at least), and even though I'm aware of my surroundings, it's still quite an empowering feeling to walk alone:) I had just returned from a visit to the garment factory areas of Bangalore- walking alone at the end of a work day is normal for most women in that area, so there may not always be a direct correlation between time of day and safety, and many women don't even have a choice but to walk alone at night. This is an everyday reality for many women.
I noticed the emptiness, and quiet, occasionally disturbed by traffic noises. I felt fine, though I did stop at a shop, around which there were about ten men congregated. I didn't feel threatened- it just struck me how I'd never see a group of women like that:)
Before my walk alone, I felt tired, busy, reflective.
After the walk, I felt observant, reflective, curious
I got back feeling that there were others doing the same thing...that I was a part of a group of women doing the same thing, across cities.
* Action Hero Gopika walked alone for one hour.
Walk Alone Action Hero Jyotsna Kaur Habibullah
Location: MG Road, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
It is where I live and need to often walk alone there. I was confident and aware of my surroundings, yet felt threatened, unsafe, uneasy. At the end of my walk I felt empowered, strong, confident. I felt an awareness at the end of my walk alone, that we can go where we need to when we need to.
* Action Hero Jyotsna walked alone for thirty minutes.
Walk Alone Action Hero Archana Patel Nandi
Location: Sadashivpeth & Koregaon park, Pune. India
All of Pune was unknown to me...and since I was around that area I started from then.
Being new to the city, I was a little unsure. Then I thought to myself, how does it matter? “Jyada soch matt just go for it” / ‘Don’t think too much, just go for it’.
Sadashiv peth was crowded and was enjoying the weekend too! I felt excited, enthusiastic and sure.
* Action Hero Archana walked alone for two hours.
{{{ Anonymous Action Heroes }}}
Some who walked alone preferred to remain anonymous, but give consent share their response.
Walk Alone Action Hero 1
Location: On the road from Kanker to Korar, Chattisgarh, India
The location was convenient and secluded. I felt excited and nervous. I am a hesitant person. I am uncomfortable in strange situations. But at the same time I like to be adventurous. I definitely felt threatened. But I would have felt more threatened if there were people around.
I was relieved to have come back safely without any mishaps. I felt proud, relieved and happy.
* Walk Alone Action Hero 1 walked for twenty minutes
Walk Alone Action Hero 2
Location: On the road from Kanker to Korar, Chattisgarh, India
It is a route we travel a lot but never during the night. Wanted to explore that beautiful stretch during the night. I was very comfortable, at peace and enjoyed the night. We were the only people in that locality and felt safe in those familiar roads which we frequented during the day but never at night. Before the walk I felt worried, excited and determined. After the walk alone, I felt happy, comfortable and calm. I really enjoyed Walk Alone. Would love to do it more often. Felt more in touch with the place around me than even in the day.
* Walk Alone Action Hero 4 walked for thirty minutes.
Walk Alone Action Hero 3
Location: Panjim, Goa, India.
I live there. I did feel fear, uncertainty, reluctance before the event. When I was not afraid, I was aware of consciously avoiding eye contact with Indian men. My neighbourhood is fairly well lit, but pretty deserted after 10. It's a safe space though and the groups of Indian male tourists looking at me over the only strange factor. At the end of my walk I felt
exhilaration, confident, tired (fighting your fear tires you more than walking around!)
I became aware of the non-eye contact and was a little surprised by that. Never knew I went so much of my way to not-connect with Indian men. I keep making that distinction because I don't have the same fear with foreign men. Maybe it is years of experiencing harassment and groping by our own people that have made me wary. My experiences abroad and with visitors here have only been positive, though. And it saddens me. I'm sure others have contrary experiences - after all not all men are the same, but this is mine.
* Walk Alone Action Hero 2 walked for forty five
Walk Alone Action Hero 4
Location: Around and on Bondel Gate Bridge in Kolkata, India
I chose to walk here because it's the only place near my home where I'm afraid of walking alone near midnight. I was glad I'd brought along my phone/handycam since it gave me the appearance of having a purpose. Initially I jumped at every passing bike with young pillion riders. I was slightly nervous for around 20 minutes. I felt defiant, curious, nervous. I also felt threatened by passing vehicles and stares, some curious, some ambiguous. Eventually, I felt safer but not as comfortable as I would like to feel. At the end of my walk, I felt I'm not yet ready to trust idle strangers, perhaps just as much as they're suspicious of me. I would like to strengthen that trust. I'll be doing this again and again, giving them and myself more chances.
* Walk Alone Action Hero 3 walked for forty minutes.
Walk Alone Action Hero 5
Location: Vidhyadhar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
I had done a previous initiative for sleeping in a park ( Meet To Sleep) with my friends, I did feel like a part of something bigger, that is standing in sisterhood! I was excited to have this opportunity. I was also a little nervous, sceptical and scared about walking alone at first, but after five minutes I felt more comfortable.
It is a little scary when you walk alone at night, just because it's empty and I didn't see anyone else. I have walked the path a lot of times because it's my neighbourhood, or been in a car. I was aware that if I would've been with someone else or driving, I wouldn't have felt nervous there.
I felt confident and happy after walking. I felt like I need to do it more and encourage others to individually contribute to such initiatives because these experiences and fear are mostly female. A man wouldn't think twice about walking alone for fear of constant insecurity of the worst case scenarios coming true, though in fairness the fears are completely based on facts of life! Still, it felt nice!
* Walk Alone Action Hero 5 walked for twenty minutes
Walk Alone Action Hero 6
Location: Allahabad
Action Hero 6 walked alone in Allahabad because she believes she deserves freedom.
She does not wish to share her walk alone experience on a public platform.
Walk Alone Action Hero 7
Location: Nagenhalli, Yelahanka, Bangalore, India.
I need the company of other woman, which I trust, to feel comfortable that enables me to go for the walk alone. At least in some distance, to know in case something bad would happen I wouldn't be alone. Normally I don't look in people's eyes, I feel as if I have to shut myself in order to stay safe. But what I want to face is my fear to keep on being silent about sexual harassment towards me. I want to wear my head up high, not afraid of meeting eyes, and if anything would happen – to scream.
I felt apprehension, strength, trust before the walk . I walked in a group of three.
We walked an empty road to the village, crossing railway tracks. I see only a few men here and there. If I would be alone, I would be in a totally attentive all over state. No streetlight anymore. At the edge to nature, sometimes more afraid of an animal to appear or darkness itself. I feel nothing will happen, but alone – I wouldn't be here.Silence.Listening. Eyes wide open. After the walk I felt clarity, trust, empowerment
Action Hero 7 walked alone for 1 hour 20 minutes.
About #WalkAlone #AkeliAwaaraAzaad:
Walk Alone was initiated by Blank Noise in 2016. ,
This was the third Walk Alone ( December 2, 2016 ) joined forces with Why Loiter and Amnesty International India.
Walk Alone #Akeli Awaara Azaad was first held between 12 -19 June 2016 and again on September 25, December 2nd, 2016. 48 Action Heroes have led Walk Alone in 21 cities (Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Allahabad, Lucknow, Delhi, Berlin, Pune, Kolkata, Siolim, Panjim, Aararim Wada, Jaipur, Berlin- Germany, Braunschweig- Germany , Dawlish in Devon- UK, Toronto-Canada, Shillong, Koppa, Pakistan, Chhattisgarh) Walk Alone organisational/ community allies include Jagori, Why Loiter, Amnesty International India, Awadh Mango Growers Association, Girls At Dhabas and Write To Maati
Walk Alone map prepared by Action Hero Lisa Heissenberg, BangaloREsidency, Max Mueller Bhavan Remote Resident at Blank Noise.
