This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
On a warm evening in Nairobi, a group of women gathered at a residential outdoor space to dance the night away at an all-women's dance party, Strictly Silk.
Conceived by Njoki Ngumi, Njeri Gatungo, and Akati Khasiani, members of The Nest Collective, a Kenyan multi-disciplinary arts collective, the party aimed to create a safe space for women to enjoy nightlife without fear of harassment or interference.
According to Ms Ngumi, the idea behind the all-women's dance parties was born out of a desire to celebrate women in spaces that are not usually welcome for them, particularly in the context of nightlife.
"2018 was a difficult year for a lot of Kenyan women. There were a lot of stories about violence and people were becoming bolder about misogyny online and offline," Ms Ngumi said.
With security tight and a single-sex policy in place, the partygoers, bar tenders, security officers, DJs, sound mixers, MCs, and ushers were all women, providing a sense of safety and community for the attendees.
For women like Jane and Shani, who had experienced unpleasant experiences when out with friends in mixed clubs, the all-women's dance party was a welcome respite.
"You have to be so strict in a place with men. You just want to go out with your friends and men interfere," Jane said.
"So having a space where it's all women immediately feels safe and you feel you are with people who understand you," Shani added.
As the party continued into the night, the women danced and laughed together, enjoying a rare moment of freedom and camaraderie in a city where women often face harassment and intimidation in public spaces.
