As Indian women, we have had to deal with the constant reminder that we do not have control over our own bodies in this country, and that it is our responsibility as women to protect ourselves from sexual assault and harassment. When men leer at us or grope us, we are blamed for allowing this to happen, and not the men who perpetrate these crimes.

What happened to women in Bangalore on New Year's Eve was absolute horror.
 

We know. These movements. These protests. These hashtags. Just another brick in the wall? Sure. Why not? Let’s keep adding these bricks, we say. Until we have the whole wall. So once more into the patriarchal breach, our friends! Bengaluru is the latest incident in a deluge of horrific ones, but every city is an abode for harassment, and anyone feminine an easy target. Sexually violent incidents are taking place even as we type this. We are mobilizing organizations, institutions and individuals for #IWillGoOut – an event that boldly states exactly that. I, a woman, will go out. I, a girl, will claim the nights as our own.

On January 21st, India experienced it's first ever #IWillGoOut national movement. In the days leading up to the big event, citizens took the initiative to start #IWillGoOut collectives in their community and took to the streets at 5pm, the empowering message of #IWillGoOut spread across 30+ cities and towns.