[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.0.106″ src=”https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mrp\/mamta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2018\/04\/Webp.net-resizeimage.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” force_fullwidth=”off” show_bottom_space=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.8.1″ text_font=”Georgia||||||||” text_font_size=”20px”]<\/p>\n
Born in Dubai to Indian parents, I moved to North America when I was six months old and grew up desperately wanting to fit in. I spent most of my formative years rejecting my family\u2019s heritage and culture, not understanding how much I could learn from it.<\/p>\n
My parents always told me how different life was for people living in India. My mom and dad would both tell me that if I were there, I wouldn\u2019t be able to go out alone \u2013 the way I do here \u2013 because I am a female. I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the difficulties women face, from rape culture to inequalities in the workplace and society.<\/p>\n
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It wasn\u2019t until I went to India for the first time in 2013 that I realized gender inequalities are deeply ingrained in both government systems and culture.<\/p>\n
This story allowed me to explore inequality at one of the most basic levels \u2013 health \u2013 and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to do so.<\/p>\n
I saw parts of India I never thought I\u2019d see, from the tribal villages in the Tapi District to the rural farmlands outside of Dwarka and I am thankful for all of the people who let me into their homes (and offered me fresh milk and coconut water!) so I could learn more about their lives.<\/p>\n
I am thankful for my mom for sticking by me during my field work and helping me translate the many local dialects we encountered. I am also thankful for my aunt, Bhanu, and cousin, Bena, for helping me get oriented in Dwarka \u2013 I definitely would have been lost otherwise. A special thanks goes to Gaurang Mehta for doing everything from helping out with flat tires to running around for me while I was in Canada.<\/p>\n
I owe a lot to Susan Harada, my adviser, who has dealt with me working down to the wire many times \u2013 thank you, Susan.<\/p>\n
Also a big thanks to Roger Martin, the website builder extraordinaire who saved the day when my site decided to crash on me.<\/p>\n
Finally, thank you to the women I met in India who are in my story and to those who aren\u2019t. It was inspiring to see your resilience.<\/p>\n
While I know change is slow, I hope this project will shed some light on an overlooked but important issue in India.<\/p>\n
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