On a windy afternoon of 10 October, 2024, in celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, 25 adolescent girls from Mukherjee Nagar, New Delhi gathered for a beautiful poetry session, facilitated by my colleague, Samiksha Jha. It was one of those days that reminded us of how emotions, art, and creativity have the power to transform any space, even the most challenging of environments.
The poetry session began in the afternoon, right next to a community toilet. The conditions were far from ideal — the air was warm, and an unpleasant stench lingered. But as soon as the session started, it felt as if the physical discomfort faded away. What emerged was the raw and unfiltered outpouring of emotions, thoughts, and dreams from these young girls.
Before the poetry writing began, the girls took part in a rapport-building activity, sharing positive words about one another. "She always speaks her mind," one girl shared with a smile, while another chimed in, "Jyoti has a beautiful smile!" This small exchange of admiration built a warm atmosphere for the poetry session. It became a platform where the girls could express themselves freely.
One of the girls, Anjali, who had been hesitant to share her thoughts initially, found courage as the session progressed. By the end, not only had she written a poem, but she also recited it on video.
The session became a platform where the girls could express themselves freely, to amplify their voices, making their words more poignant and powerful. One of them, with fiery determination, penned down how she wished to topple the government, while another spoke of her deep desire to plant more trees and bring greenery back to Delhi. From becoming mehendi artists and dancers to envisioning their future as lawyers fighting their first cases, they wrote their dreams into existence.
As they scribbled away, giving titles to their works and weaving stanzas that reflected their innermost thoughts, an empowering process unfolded. The session offered them a space to be seen and heard — a space to embrace their thoughts and articulate their aspirations. For many of them, it was an opportunity to let their imaginations run wild and capture the essence of their world and vision for the future on paper.
It was truly their writers’ day out — a day where poetry and dreams took over, portraying how art can transcend barriers and create a reflective space for individuals of all ages.
Integrating art-based methodologies, such as this poetry session, aligns with the broader goals of development work by fostering community engagement and amplifying voices that often go unheard. These initiatives help nurture agency, empathy, and solidarity among participants—key elements of community empowerment.
Just as our rooftop poetry sessions during the COVID-19 lockdown gave voice to hidden narratives about gender, gender biases and gender-based violence, this day affirmed the enduring power of creativity to inspire change and reimagine futures. By creating spaces through art-based approaches, individuals can connect with their emotions and share their unique stories. These creative methods not only build immediate bonds but also lay the foundation for sustained collective action. This approach has proven to be a powerful tool in advancing broader development objectives, such as advocating for individuals’ rights, challenging systemic inequalities, and driving long-term transformative change within communities.
