Women gather on a stretch of MG Road in Thiruvananthapuram as part of ‘Resurge – Safe Women, Safe Kerala’ organised by the Women and Child Development department as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
On Friday night, there was excitement in the air as women, and a good number of men, gathered along a small stretch of the arterial MG Road in the Kerala capital in a gesture towards owning a public space without any fears for their safety, albeit for a limited time. Women walked with abandon, danced, sang, shopped, and made the most of a rare day of freedom that the government machinery had arranged for them. The mood was upbeat and infectious as women bike riders, cyclists, Kalaripayattu students, young skaters, and home-based entrepreneurs gathered for a night of fun and games.Students, hostellers, working women, activists all took part in ‘Resurge – Safe Women, Safe Kerala’ that was organised by the Women and Child Development department from Connemara market at Palayam to Ayurveda College Junction as part of the Independence Day celebrations from 9.30 p.m. on Friday to 1 a.m. on Saturday.Nandana V., a law student at Government Law College here, who was soaking in the atmosphere, said Thiruvananthapuram was usually safe but at times women experienced harassment when they went out at night. On Friday, women were feeling happy, taking videos, vlogging even, in the heart of the city, without apprehensions about their safety. This, however, should be an everyday reality and not become a one-off organised event, she said.The participants said they did not believe women would become free by walking out at night one day, but it would give them more courage and inspire the next generation to strive for freedom.Amritha Priya, Sasthamcotta block panchayat member, said there had been night walks before but ‘Resurge’ was different since it had a number of events that focussed on women’s achievements, including entrepreneurship. Also, it was rare to see so many women turn out for an event late at night. “Seeing so many women together makes one happy. The government had not freed up a city stretch for women till now. It is just the beginning of a change.”Kala Rani, State women president of the Bahujana Sahitya Academy, said the response to the event was good, with even small children taking part in it. She did not believe the event was a mere tokenism. “It is for sure a strong women’s movement and sends out a message to other countries. It is also positive to see so many men take part and stand along with women in this initiative.”CM inaugurates eventChief Minister V.D. Satheesan who inaugurated ‘Resurge’ said the government’s goal was to create an environment in which women could go out any time of the day without fearing for their safety. “Kerala will be made a model for other States. Women’s gatherings also give out the message that they have a clear role in societal change and socio-economic development of the State,” he said.The Chief Minister, along with Minister for Women and Child Development Bindhu Krishna, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes K.A. Thulasi, walked from the inaugural venue to the Secretariat and interacted with the participants. Published - August 15, 2026 10:08 am IST
