<p>Women here have it tough, say expatriates, on the occasion of <br />‘International Women’s Day’. One of the biggest culture shocks they have experienced in India is the differential treatment meted out to women contrary to what it <br />is back home. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Explaining that women here have to face challenges every step of the way, they share their thoughts and experiences with Metrolife.<br /><br />Viviana Gonzalez, a musician from Colombia, moved <br />to India two years ago. <br /><br />Taken aback at how women were sidelined in the field of music, Viviana says, “I was surprised at how male-dominated the scene was. Be it <br />as a vocalist or drummer, it’s mostly men who rule the roost. That’s not the way it <br />is in my country. What I gather is that a woman’s role here is always sidelined,” <br />feels Viviana. She adds, “In fact, many here look up to me.” <br /><br /> Cintia Esmeralda, from Peru, who moved to the City seven years ago, recalls that the initial years were tough. <br /><br />“It has been an eye-opening experience. Coming from an open society, I found the women here conservative. In fact earlier, I would even greet strangers. But when I started getting strange looks and even had some men stalking me, <br />I stopped. I honestly hadn’t expected such a rigid society,” she says. <br /><br />Pointing out to the rising number of incidents against women, Dianne Cobb-Pennisi, a fitness instructor and belly-dancer from the USA, says, “I live here by myself and I must say it is very challenging. Everything I do is very well thought of. I never step out of the house without a plan of action. I ensure that I <br />return home at a particular time and don’t go out for a party unless I have a male <br />escort. But that’s not how I am in the West.” <br /><br /> Dianne, who grew up in Africa, says that when she decided to move here, she knew what she was in for. However, she rues that “women don’t get as much <br />respect here when compared to the West”.<br /><br /> “I’m fiercely independent and what irks me is that men don’t taken women seriously unless they are with a man,” says Dianne. <br /><br />Jeanne-d’Arc Jabbour Rajagopal from Lebanon, who is married to an Indian, says that no amount of preparation can make one ready for India. <br /><br /> “What takes me by surprise is that women are supposed to be goddesses but in reality, they are treated as second-class citizens,” says Jeanne, who runs a chain of restaurants in the City. <br /><br />“I remember once, without informing me, one of my employees did not come to work for two weeks. When she came back, she kept pleading with me to retain her. I was shocked when she told me that she was locked in the bathroom for having reached home late from work oneday,” she says. <br /><br /> “But despite all these incidents, we still feel welcomed in the country,” she adds. <br /></p>
<p>Women here have it tough, say expatriates, on the occasion of <br />‘International Women’s Day’. One of the biggest culture shocks they have experienced in India is the differential treatment meted out to women contrary to what it <br />is back home. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Explaining that women here have to face challenges every step of the way, they share their thoughts and experiences with Metrolife.<br /><br />Viviana Gonzalez, a musician from Colombia, moved <br />to India two years ago. <br /><br />Taken aback at how women were sidelined in the field of music, Viviana says, “I was surprised at how male-dominated the scene was. Be it <br />as a vocalist or drummer, it’s mostly men who rule the roost. That’s not the way it <br />is in my country. What I gather is that a woman’s role here is always sidelined,” <br />feels Viviana. She adds, “In fact, many here look up to me.” <br /><br /> Cintia Esmeralda, from Peru, who moved to the City seven years ago, recalls that the initial years were tough. <br /><br />“It has been an eye-opening experience. Coming from an open society, I found the women here conservative. In fact earlier, I would even greet strangers. But when I started getting strange looks and even had some men stalking me, <br />I stopped. I honestly hadn’t expected such a rigid society,” she says. <br /><br />Pointing out to the rising number of incidents against women, Dianne Cobb-Pennisi, a fitness instructor and belly-dancer from the USA, says, “I live here by myself and I must say it is very challenging. Everything I do is very well thought of. I never step out of the house without a plan of action. I ensure that I <br />return home at a particular time and don’t go out for a party unless I have a male <br />escort. But that’s not how I am in the West.” <br /><br /> Dianne, who grew up in Africa, says that when she decided to move here, she knew what she was in for. However, she rues that “women don’t get as much <br />respect here when compared to the West”.<br /><br /> “I’m fiercely independent and what irks me is that men don’t taken women seriously unless they are with a man,” says Dianne. <br /><br />Jeanne-d’Arc Jabbour Rajagopal from Lebanon, who is married to an Indian, says that no amount of preparation can make one ready for India. <br /><br /> “What takes me by surprise is that women are supposed to be goddesses but in reality, they are treated as second-class citizens,” says Jeanne, who runs a chain of restaurants in the City. <br /><br />“I remember once, without informing me, one of my employees did not come to work for two weeks. When she came back, she kept pleading with me to retain her. I was shocked when she told me that she was locked in the bathroom for having reached home late from work oneday,” she says. <br /><br /> “But despite all these incidents, we still feel welcomed in the country,” she adds. <br /></p>
