Tired of people assuming I cannot drive only because I am a Woman (long rant)

Just wanted to rant about something that happened a couple of days ago near Mahadevapura. I was driving on a narrow road with slow traffic. Bikes were squeezing through from all sides and a car even brushed my mirror. I was already tired and frustrated.

At one point, an auto driver coming from the opposite side started signalling at me to move as if I did not know how to drive. There were bikes right in front of me, so obviously I could not move. He kept making faces and waving his hand like I was the problem. I ignored it and continued.

Later, we reached a T junction with no signal. I was on the vertical stretch waiting for a car from the left to pass so the jam could clear. If I forced my way in, it would have made everything worse. I was being patient and responsible.

That is when an older auto driver came to my left, knocked on the passenger window where my husband was sitting, and gestured that he should take over the wheel instead of me. As if I was the reason for the traffic and he knew better. My husband simply asked him to keep moving, but I was furious.

This is not the first time I have been judged only because I am a woman behind the wheel. I follow the rules and wait when needed. My husband drives the same way and never gets these reactions. It is always the auto drivers who assume I do not know anything.

I know some women are nervous on the road, but I also have seen men drive far worse. Yet somehow we are the only ones who get singled out. It is 2025 and people still believe women do not belong in certain roles. It makes me angry and sad that such thinking still exists.

How do you handle situations like this? I tried to ignore it but it stayed with me 😣