As the New Year unfolds, bringing with it a wave of new goals and reflections, a powerful trend is emerging in the National Capital Region (NCR). Beyond fitness resolutions and personal aspirations, women are increasingly finding strength and solace in a fundamental element: female friendship. In a digital age dominated by endless scrolling, women across Delhi and its surrounding areas are consciously building intentional communities, injecting warmth, genuine presence, and real connection back into urban life.
The Rise of Intentional Women-Only Spaces
Manisha Kalra, the founder of City Girls Who Walk Delhi, which organizes weekly events, observes a clear demand. "Today, people – especially women in their 20s and 30s – are seeking community," she shares. "Women-only spaces give them that comfort, a small pause from their routine." This sentiment is echoed by organizers and participants alike, highlighting a shift towards curated, safe environments for connection.
These groups are particularly impactful for those new to the metropolis. Saurav Arya from Small World, a community events host, notes that their women-only circles strongly resonate with city newcomers. "At our hour-long Women's Circle, participants connect with others navigating similar life or career transitions, forming a relatable circle," he states. The shared experience of transition becomes a powerful bonding agent.
Reclaiming Space and Building Confidence
One of the most visible manifestations of this trend is the proliferation of women-only group walks. While the primary goal may not be to make a statement, the sight of confident women walking side-by-side inevitably does. Anoushka Jain, who hosts heritage walks for women through Enroute Indian History, points out the empowering effect: "When 40 women walk together, it draws attention, inspires, and empowers women to try activities they wouldn’t do alone."
For Manisha Kalra, these walks have transformed her relationship with public spaces. "I wouldn’t go to these parks before because of the perception that only couples go there. Walking with 50–100 women makes you feel like you’re reclaiming the space," she explains. "You have the right to roam, be around trees, and enjoy nature." Participant Abida Nahid, who has joined for over two years, adds a personal note: "Being around such positive women healed me during a tough time. There’s something comforting about being with girls."
Creative Catalysts for Catharsis and Connection
Beyond walks, these communities are fostering bonds through creative collaboration. From bedazzling phone covers and vision-board making to book clubs and workshops, events are designed to spark conversation and friendship. Tavleen Kaur, founder of GirlTalk which hosts creative workshops, explains the psychology: "When you’re creating, you’re in your most vulnerable state – that’s when connecting feels easier. There’s a cathartic joy in making something together."
Rashi Sharma, founder of the women-only book club SheReads, emphasizes how shared stories deepen connections. "While a love of reading brings everyone together, connections form when stories resonate with personal experiences," she says. These discussions often extend beyond books into everyday challenges, creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Emotional and physical safety is consistently cited as a key reason women prefer these dedicated spaces.
The appeal bridges generations, uniting teenagers, Gen Z, millennials, and older women. Tavleen Kaur notes that the struggle to connect is ageless. "We often feel like we’re not enough, and many of us struggle to connect with other women – this feeling cuts across ages. So, the idea was to create space for those woman-to-woman bonds, that kind of genuine friendship and community we rarely find anymore."
For participants like Punjal Jain, an audit executive who joined a women-only book club, these spaces offer a comfortable entry point. "I loved reading back in school and wanted to reconnect with it. A women-only club felt like a comfortable place to start – and as an introvert, it made connecting with like-minded, supportive women effortless," she shares.
As these intentional communities continue to grow across Delhi NCR, they are doing more than just planning events. They are actively redefining urban social fabric, proving that in an increasingly fragmented world, the power of purposeful, female-centric connection is a revolutionary act of self-care and collective empowerment.
