Reclaiming Space - Episode 2 - Why Loiter? Why Women Have the Right to Take Up Space

Why does a woman need a reason to be in a public space? Why can't she simply sit in a park, walk at night or enjoy her city without having to explain herself? In Episode 2 of Reclaiming Space, hosts ElsaMarie D'Silva and Holly Kearl speak with Neha Singh, theatre-maker, children's author and founder of the Why Loiter? campaign in India. Inspired by the book Why Loiter?, Neha began a simple experiment in Mumbai in 2014: spending time in a public park with a friend, doing absolutely nothing. What seemed like an ordinary activity turned out to be a radical act. They were questioned simply for occupying public space without a purpose. More than a decade later, Why Loiter? has grown into a movement encouraging women to reclaim streets, parks and neighbourhoods through collective walks, friendship, leisure and joy. In this conversation, we explore: Why women's freedom to loiter is central to gender equality. How girls are conditioned from childhood to avoid risks and restrict their movements. The difference between protecting women and controlling their freedom. How Neha and her fellow organisers have responded to police resistance and social expectations. How women mobilised across 22 Indian cities to reclaim public spaces. Why joy, friendship and pleasure can sustain activism more effectively than anger alone. What if the true measure of a safe city isn't how carefully women avoid danger, but how freely they can enjoy public life? 🎙️ Reclaiming Space is a podcast from Red Dot Foundation Global, exploring the people, ideas and movements challenging the restrictions placed on women and girls. 🌐 Learn more: https://reddotfoundation.org/ Subscribe for more conversations about women's safety, public spaces, activism, gender equality and the right to move freely. #ReclaimingSpace #WhyLoiter #WomensRightToTheCity #PublicSpaces #WomensSafety #GenderEquality #FeministActivism #SaferCities