Part I: Is Life For Brown Women Better Abroad? | The Safety Tax

On paper, lives of these two Indian women are remarkably similar - both are independent, childfree women working on their passions. However, their daily "negotiations" with physical space look very different. From the audacity of Uber drivers in Gurgaon to the subtext of racism and isolation in Toronto, host Kriti J and her long-time friend Sugandha explore the invisible "Safety Tax" that women pay just to exist. In this conversation, we discuss:Why Sugandha feels she had to buy her safety by purchasing a car and paying a premium for gated housing.The psychological "bubble" Kriti creates to ignore unwanted attention in public spaces. The reality of harassment while running outside, from night-time training to ultra-marathons. How the "Tax" of living abroad often involves navigating microaggressions and the feeling of being an "other." This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Next episode available in two weeks. Make sure to follow!Chapters00:00 Introduction00:52 Unmarried, Childfree, Independent01:27 The Freedom Myth: Comparing Life in Toronto & Gurgaon04:15 Why Independence in India Costs a Premium06:50 The Runner's Dilemma09:03 Street Harassment13:00 The Racism Tax for Brown Women Abroad15:08 Strategy of Avoiding "Lustful Eyes"17:51 Navigating Freedom and Societal Pressures19:50 What's nextFollow Dirty Brown on socials