Female harassment when travelling

Avoiding Harassment

Unfortunately, the potential for sexual harassment and intimidation is a reality around the world. Be prepared. Do your networking and research before you leave. Find out as much as you can about the roles of both women and men in the places you plan to visit.

Avoid wearing provocative, form-fitting clothing. A woman alone may be considered fair game. Understand this and prepare yourself mentally for any propositions, suggestive comments or catcalls. Then simply ignore them.

In some male-dominated cultures, it's considered incorrect for a woman to travel solo. For these and other potentially challenging destinations, you might want to team up with a companion. Two women travelling together might have an easier time.

In some cultures, making eye contact with a man is a sign that you want his company. Some women solve this problem by wearing dark glasses.

Be aware that you'll probably be openly stared at. In countries where you look very different from everybody else, both men and women will make no attempt to hide their curiosity.

Behave confidently. When you're out, try to look as if you know exactly where you're going and what you're doing.

Take your cue from the local women. As a general rule, if they don't sit in cafés alone, you shouldn't either. If they aren't wearing sleeveless dresses, neither should you.

Never accept car rides or hitchhike. Ask the local hotels to recommend reputable taxis and, whenever possible, try to double up with someone you know when travelling by cab.

Crowded trains and buses can be perfect breeding grounds for antisocial behaviour. Some men will use this opportunity to touch or pinch the female passengers standing close to them. If this happens to you, make a fuss. Point at the offender and chastise him in a loud voice. He'll probably slink away. However, to avoid these types of advances, consider choosing reserved seating.

In countries where it is available, take advantage of the female-only section in buses, trains and subways. Use this excellent opportunity to communicate with local women and their children.

Tip / Info: In the Pacific Islands, a woman's thighs are considered an erotic part of her body and should not be exposed in public.

In India, a female's upper arms are considered sensual areas of the body and therefore must never be exposed in public.

Please choose from the following sections:

Introduction
Lessening the Culture Shock
Travel Light, Travel Smart
Extra Security Makes Sense
Air Travel
Accommodation
Networking Along the Way
Dress Sense
Avoiding Harassment
Alone After Sundown
Maintaining Connections
Staying Healthy
Coping with Foreign Bathrooms
The Pregnant Traveler
Traveling with Children
International Adoptions
The Older Traveler
Businesswomen Abroad

Canuck Abroad takes no responsibility for the information or accuracy contained in this section and suggest you go to http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/her_own_way-en.asp for the latest information.

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