Be street-wise
Women are most often targeted by criminals, who consider them to be easy
prey, so the best advice is to
remain alert at all times, use common sense and keep a low profile. For instance,
it is recommended that women travellers
avoid walking through deserted streets after dark, even in groups; if it can really
not be avoided, you might want to
consider carrying a small flashlight. If you are traveling in a country with a high
crime rate, be careful not to bring
your jewelry with you, and do not wear it in a showy manner when walking in the
streets. Always carry your cash and credit cards in
at least two separate wallets, and carry with you at all times the numbers to call
in case your credit card is lost or
stolen. At night, always be ready to run if necessary, so avoid high heels or
narrow skirts which would prevent you from leaving
quickly. Look confident and pretend to always know where you are going. It is
always advisable to know the general layout of
the city you are visiting, in order to avoid consulting your map out in the open.
Plan your daily itinerary, and give it to a friend or a family
member if possible; do not tell
strangers where you are staying, or give them too many details about your travel
plans. Some hotels have cards with
contact details and directions in the local language; take one, it can be very
useful when dealing with cabs. If you
are lost in the street, you can also use the card to ask a woman to point you the
direction of your hotel.
Blend in
When in Rome, do as the Romans do: as a woman traveller, you do not want
to attract attention, so
the first step is to adapt your clothing to the local context. If you are traveling
in a traditional country,
avoid looking like a Westerner and try to blend in as much as possible. Learn the
local dress code upon arrival and
buy appropriate clothing locally if need be. Remember that what looks conventional
to you, such as bare shoulders or
a short t-shirt, may be very offensive to local inhabitants. If you are traveling
in Muslim countries, it is advised
to carry a headscarf with you.
Avoid unwanted attention
As a woman traveller, you may attract unwanted attention from local men.
If you are traveling in a
traditional country, consider buying a wedding ring, as it may deter local men from
soliciting your attention. Avoid eye
contact with men, as in many countries, it can be considered as an invitation to
flirt. In case of unwanted remarks,
it is recommended to ignore them.
Accomodation
Choose your accommodations carefully: it is generally recommended to
choose smaller guesthouses, in order
to connect more easily with the manager, who will be able to advise you on how to
behave during your trip. To avoid
stress, try to travel early in the day and do not arrive late at night to your
destination, especially if you do not
have a reservation. Remember that safety must be your number one priority: it is
recommended to choose your accommodations
in a safe area, and always ask to visit the room before accepting it. It will allow
you to check whether the door locks
properly and if you feel comfortable.
You should not accept a room that is located on the ground
floor or that is easily accessed from
outside (by balcony, for instance), and ask the clerk to keep your name and room
number private. While staying in your room,
do not open the door without asking your visitor to show proof of identity; if he
claims to be from the hotel staff,
call the front desk to verify the truthfulness of the claim.
Taxis
Be careful to take only legitimate cabs. Ask your hotel to recommend a
taxi company, take cabs only
from cab stands and try to pair up with a fellow traveller when taking the cab -
never share a cab with a stranger.
Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers. Before taking a taxi, take a close
look at a map of the city in order
to have a general idea of where you are headed.
Going out at night
Drug-assisted rapes are increasingly common. To avoid them, never leave
your drink unattended and do not
accept drinks from strangers; when you go out at night, try to always go with a
friend or at least tell someone of your
whereabouts. Generally speaking, try to drink responsibly, as alcohol is the most
used drug in drug-assisted rape. If
you begin to feel sick or drunk after a drink, ask a friend to take you back to
your hotel room; if you are alone,
contact your Consulate, a hospital or the local police.
In case of assault
If you are attacked by a thief, do not resist. Let your bag go, open
your wallet and hand over your money,
then call for help.
If you are groped or touched inappropriately, do not act as if
nothing happened; you should learn
beforehand how to say "Leave me alone !" in the local language, and say it loudly
to your aggressor. If you feel at risk,
you can carry pepper spray and use it in case of assault; if you use it, it is
recommended to report the attack to
your embassy first. Depending on the country, it may not be recommended to go to
the police first.
If you have been raped, head for a hospital or your embassy to
ask for help. Whenever possible, go with
a friend. Do not shower before going to the hospital, as you may destroy evidence.
