""I wasn't allowed to stay in certain societies because I am a woman," Sikdar said. "If you're single or divorced, landowners said they can't allow it.""
""Anywhere I went, the brokers would ask if I was single or married or if I was living with somebody," she said. "The assumption is that if you're single, your lifestyle is questionable, like you're partying or bringing chaos.""
""They do observe when I come and go.""
Women across multiple Indian cities encounter systematic barriers when seeking independent housing. Landowners and brokers frequently inquire about marital status and reject single or divorced women, limiting access to certain societies. Those who secure rentals often face neighborhood surveillance and privacy intrusions, with neighbors monitoring arrivals and departures. Many women balance the desire for autonomy with ongoing safety concerns, leading some to choose shared apartments or enduring scrutiny to remain independent. Urban size does not eliminate these issues, affecting women in major metros and smaller cities alike and complicating long-term housing stability.
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