How A Women-Only Walking Club In Delhi Fosters Sisterhood

Amidst the soft morning breeze and the green chaos of birds, squirrels, and insects, a group of women gathered in Delhi's Lodhi Garden. With autumn leaves scattered around, a lady, who seemed to be in her sixties, was reciting a poem. Surbhi, a 30-year-old from Nagpur, later found out that the woman had written the poem over decades ago but never had the chance to share it. 

"She found a space with the group where she could openly express her feelings. It convinced me to return again and again," Surbhi shared about her experience with these women. She was talking about a unique, women-centric club named City Girls Who Walk Delhi. 

As a native of Nagpur, Surbhi herself has found a safe space at this club and her experience isn't unique. Almost all the women joining walks with this club share the same feeling. 

In a world where the generational divide has quietly been separating families and, in turn, society, City Girls Who Walk Delhi seems like a melting pot. The women I met came from all walks of life: a 14-year-old who came with her mum, a 29-year-old seeking relief from her gruelling corporate life, and a 55-year-old homemaker eager to share her experiences. This club has become a reason for many women to step out of their daily routines, meet new people, and find inspiration.

How It Started 

In a bustling city like Delhi, City Girls Who Walk offers women a chance to find companionship, explore new ideas, and step out of their comfort zones. Founded in 2023, the group quickly attracted hundreds of women who participated in its weekly walks. It is the brainchild of 29-year-old corporate hustler, Manisha Kalra. 

Manisha had been searching for a community like this for herself. She saw similar groups on Instagram, but all were in different cities, like City Girls Who Walk in New York. She took it upon herself to pave the way and founded City Girls Who Walk Delhi. 

“Now, when hundreds of women join each walk, it feels incredible to see how what started as an idea in my head has grown into something that provides a safe space for women in Delhi to make new friends and live life fully,” said Manisha. 

The group has now evolved into a community of more than 30,000 online members. It offers activities such as zumba workshops, poetry, yoga, and make-up sessions free of charge, simply by registering through its Instagram page. Manisha says she aims to help women experience different things and foster bonding.

Smriti, 24, a native of Mumbai, recently moved to Delhi for work after completing her post-graduation in the UK. She said, "There's a popular group with the same name in the UK. I used to join their walks in Edinburgh and made many friends. I was looking for the same experience in Delhi, and I feel I’ve lived it. You always look for people with whom you can connect, and I met some lovely people here." 

I also met a 55-year-old homemaker, Neelu, who loves to interact with younger women. 

“I have a daughter, and most of the girls are my daughter's age. I love to interact with them and understand how they think. They have refreshing thoughts; they bring newness to everyday life. I welcome change,” Neelu said. 

A Place For Mothers & Daughters To Bond 

Among the many heartwarming and interesting stories I found at the walk were those of mother-daughter duos enjoying their time together. 

I met 50-year-old Shama and her 21-year-old daughter, Archita. For Shama, the club provides a sense of community “to share ideas and feelings.” 

“It allows me to look at the world through my daughter's eyes," she said.

“Even though it can sometimes be a strict bond, we enjoy each other's company,” said Archita, who asked her mother to join the group. 

Anu, 47, a homemaker, attended the walk with her 14-year-old daughter, Zara. This was their second time joining the group, and talking about how she is connecting with younger girls, Anu said, 

"For me, the most important thing is bonding with my daughter. To match the wavelength of Gen Z, millennials have to know what is going on in the outer world." 

Creating A Safe Space For Women 

City Girls Who Walk Delhi founder Manisha aims to make the group a secure and supportive environment for women. But in a world filled with men’s clubs, where news of misconduct and harassment frequently make headlines, building a women-centric community is never easy. 

“The challenge we face as a digital-first community is to evoke trust. When we were just a small page, it took a lot of effort to build that trust and convince women that this could be their safe space,” said Manisha.

She further added, “Now, when I hear feedback from women about how this has become a safe space for them, it makes all the effort worthwhile." 

Supporting Womanhood 

Looking ahead, Manisha aims to bring even more women together, offering diverse experiences to help them connect, make friends, and create professional networks. 

"I truly believe no one can support a woman like another woman. Society has conditioned us to view each other as competitors, but in safe spaces like City Girls Who Walk Delhi, we realise how important female friendships are,” she said. 

Walking in nature, staying in a joyful environment, and sharing experiences benefit physical health, while deep conversations and new ideas improve mental well-being. This group is making an impact on women's health and helping them become more creative in both their personal and professional lives.

Manisha said, "Even though we're just a walking group, something as simple as this can be transformative.”

All photos are provided by the author.