Why doing nothing is a radical act for India's women – photo essay | Global development

Sociologist Shilpa Phadke agrees. The co-author of Why Loiter? Women and Risk on Mumbai Streets, which celebrates loitering as a radical act, says: “Leisure or perhaps more importantly the possibility of just doing nothing, especially in public, is a deeply feminist issue. It indicates a claim to the city, the right to be out for fun, to hang out, to belong to the city.”

More people are fighting for that right, she adds. Across south Asia, feminist movements such as Blank Noise, Girls at Dhabas, Pinjra Tod and the Why Loiter? campaign are demanding greater access to public spaces for women and nonbinary people.

Talk of oppression, freedom and rights usually centres around big, violent issues, says Yadav. “What we don’t often talk about is that oppression works in everyday, mundane things. It is driven by controlling what you eat, who you talk to, who you love, how you love. If oppression is about curtailing freedom of being, then I feel leisure is such a good answer to that.”

Surabhi Yadav, a 30-year-old woman from Madhya Pradesh, has shared pictures of women hanging upside down from trees, enjoying ice lollies, dancing and applying henna. "Leisure is a feminist issue. It essentially tells you who can afford it. It's a reflection of your social and economic standing," Yadav said. "It indicates a claim to the city, the right to...hang out," she added.

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Surabhi Yadav, a 30-year-old woman from Madhya Pradesh, has shared pictures of women hanging upside down from trees, enjoying ice lollies, dancing and applying henna. "Leisure is a feminist issue. It essentially tells you who can afford it. It's a reflection of your social and economic standing," Yadav said. "It indicates a claim to the city, the right to...hang out," she added.

Summary generated by sansa