By Diwanshi Srivastava

LUCKNOW: A melange of Urdu shayari, storytelling and poster-making sessions made up

on Sunday. Placards proclaiming #FreeInHijiab were put up participants as a

draping competition for both men and women was organised.

A team of 15 volunteers along with counsellors and NGO activists gathered at Sheroes Cafe to ‘stand for modesty and empower humanity’ and support women who choose to wear the headscarf.

Women of all faiths were asked to try colourful headscarves. A street play depicted what a girl with hijab goes through when judged by society.

said, “I saw the need for awareness for women facing backlash from society for their choice of wearing hijab.”

Street play artist Toshank Srivastava said, “People judge women for wearing hijab and assume they are oppressed but if a girl willingly chooses to wear a hijab, there is no harm in it and she should not be judged for it.”

said, “The initiative is not only for Muslim women but for all women being stereotyped for their appearance and discriminated against at work or education.”