‘We walk together to access the night with joy, not fear’ – Women Walk at Midnight

CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford speaks with Amrita Pande, Sociologist and Professor at the University of Cape Town.

Listen below:

It's a sad reality for many women, that walking in the streets where they live is just not safe.

The ‘Woman Walk at Midnight’ movement is trying to change that with late night walking groups.

Every month since August 2022 at about 9pm, they have gathered as a group to walk together, socialise, and get to know the streets.

Pande says the aim of these walks is to help women to feel safe to access the street at night.

“We walk together because we have never been able to walk alone without that sense of fear… we walk together so we can access the night with joy, and not with fear.” 

- Amrita Pande, Sociologist and Professor at the University of Cape Town

RELATED: 'Women Walk at Midnight' movement aims to reclaim safe public spaces for women in the City

She adds that this is not a protest movement or march, it is just about trying to reclaim the night.

Their next walk will take place in Rylands at 8pm on Thursday 22 May, and all women are welcome to join. You do not need a ticket, you just need to show up and breathe in the fresh air.

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