International Women's Day - Tips for Solo Female Travelers

International Women's Day and why it's celebrated:
According to Telegraph.co.uk, International Women's Day is a worldwide event that celebrates women's achievements-from the political to the social-while calling for gender equality. It has been observed since the early 1900s and is now recognized each year on March 8. It is not affiliated with any one group, but brings together governments, women's organizations, corporations and charities. The day is marked around the world with arts performances, talks, rallies, networking events, conferences and marches.

Traveling alone can be intimadating for some people, but it is a great way for women to gain a higher sense of independence and confidence, and many women have recently been following the trend of traveling solo. In order to travel safely alone you need to prepare. So here are a few safety tips that will help women prepare for traveling solo.




Dress like a local​- Although you should be able to dress however you'd like, whenever you like, it is just a smart idea to blend in with the locals by dressing similarly to them. By not attracting attention to yourself, you won't have to worry about being bothered on your trip when you just want to explore on your own. Make sure to do your research on the place(s) that you're going to explore before your trip, that way you can get an idea of how locals dress.





Research your destination before you go- This tip is similar to the one above about blending into your surroundings. Since every country is different, it's important to do your research on where you're traveling to prior to your trip. Using useful government websites like the U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html), which will provide detailed information for travelers like, areas safest to travel to in each country, local laws and security conditions. Learning the location of the nearest embassy or consulate for your country is helpful in case you are in danger or in an emergency. 




 Stay in touch through social media platforms- Staying in touch with people back home and letting them know where you are, where you're staying and where you're traveling to is a smart move in case you need to be reached or if you are in need of any assistance while away. Although being far away from home can make it difficult for loved ones to help from a distance, it's good to leave evidence behind of your travels on platforms like. Facebook, Twitter or Whatsapp, ensuring that you're safe and where you will be heading next.




Learn to trust your gut and read situations- It's essential for any solo traveler to learn to read situations and know when to listen to their gut so that they are in a safe situation and can continue their trip with a peace of mind. You know what feels right and if in any situation you get an uneasy or unsafe feelng, you're probably better off leaving that area or situation. Essentially make decisions that get you out of your comfort zone but won't compromise your health or safety while alone. 





Keep your possessions close- Since now a days most of us are traveling with a phone, camera or laptop, it's best to make sure that you keep your possessions close to you while traveling. Many tourists are usually targeted by thieves for their attractive items. Look to avoid being too showy with your items when travelng and only make use of them when neccesary. Keep important documents (i.e. passports, visas and wallets) within reach at all times. 

Sources: 
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/international-womens-day-2019-day-began-fight-womens-rights/
https://www.farandwide.com/s/tips-solo-female-travel-dd0c30504f5f4c6a
https://www.ytravelblog.com/solo-female-traveler-safety/
https://theblondeabroad.com/ten-essential-tips-solo-female-travelers/
 
Posted: 3/8/2019 12:00:00 PM