The Unseen Battles of a Woman: A Photo Essay on Women’s Safety at Night in India

Nivedita Raina, a sociology student and passionate advocate for gender justice, created The Unseen Battles of a Woman as part of her Azadi Leadership Fellowship. Her project, Nirbhik, sheds light on the everyday struggles women face while commuting at night—efforts that should never be extraordinary. Through petitions, advocacy, and this striking photo essay, Nivedita captures the quiet vigilance, deep isolation, and everyday resistance that define what should be a basic right: getting home safely.

She is a member of the Azadi Leadership Program focusing on creating awareness about women’s safety while travelling at night. Her project, ‘Nirbhik’ started with a petition to have more women drivers hired by cab companies like BluSmart, Ola, Uber, and more. This photo essay is another step toward her goal of making night travel/commute safer for women in New Delhi.

Hindus for Human Rights was proud to support this work through our partnership with the Azadi Leadership Program, grounded in our shared belief that the right to move freely, exist safely in public spaces, and live without fear is essential to dignity and justice.

Read and view the full photo essay below.