India shows its support for 'SlutWalk' protests

Hundreds gathered in India's capital yesterday to protest sexual violence against women.

New Delhi became the latest city to join an international series of protests known as "SlutWalk" – the first of which was held in Toronto, Canada, where it was sparked by a police officer's remark that women could avoid being raped by not dressing like "sluts". Despite rapid modernization in its big cities, India's attitudes towards women are still largely patriarchal. Incidents of rape and sexual attacks on women are high.

A government-backed United Nations survey found that some 85 per cent of women in New Delhi are afraid of being sexually harassed while outside their homes for work or study.