The immigrant, especially if racially or ethnically different, marks the figure of the other. Immigrant women face numerous clichés, stereotypes and prejudices. These often confront them alongside others they bring along from their home cultures. The stereotypes attached to immigrant women impact not merely on how they are perceived, but also on the opportunities that they encounter. Yet, the processes of migration and relocation can also change the perceptions that these women have of themselves, challenging the ideas they grew up with and leading them to discover new modes of life. The entry into a different cultural context can alter the familiar practices of gender, tap potential and lead, over time, to unexpected breakthroughs. Barcelona makes this more possible than many other cities, with projects such as the City Council’s anti-rumour campaign.
Parvati Nair
