Calling all solo female travelers, do you have any travel plans this year? You need to be careful when visiting some of these countries.
There are several things you should consider in choosing a destination, such as problems for women related to crime or violence rates and gender inequality which is an issue in some countries.
Quoting Forbes, here are some countries that are dangerous for female travelers and should not be a tourist destination when alone.
1. South Africa
South Africa is a country that scores poorly in terms of road safety and women’s protection. Historically, women in this country have been abused. Cases of intentional homicide and sexual violence are common.
Many warnings have been issued for women traveling to South Africa are warned not to walk, travel, drive or hike alone.
2. Brazil
The United States government warns travelers not to walk alone at night and fight back physically in the event of a robbery attempt.
Not dissimilar to South Africa, Brazil also scored poorly in road safety and intentional killings of women. The country also performed poorly in the Global Gender Gap category.
3. Russia
Russia is a country with poor legal discrimination against women. The rate of premeditated murder and sexual assault cases in the country is below average.
In Russia, there is the #MeToo Movement which is one of the efforts to fight against all forms of sexual violence and harassment.
4. Mexico
Although not ranked first, Mexico has similar issues with road safety, sexual violence and intentional homicide. It will be safer if you spend a lot of time in lodging places only.
It doesn’t mean you can’t travel in Mexico, you just need to be extra careful and don’t go alone.
5. Iran
Iran is the most visited country by tourists, despite being ranked the worst in a global gender gap study.
The murder rate in Iran is not high, but discrimination and inequality are severe issues.
If you still want to travel alone to these countries, don’t forget to prepare a lot for safety. Don’t lose contact with friends or family and always keep them updated on your location.
Copy your documents or ID to leave at your lodging place and include emergency contacts for precaution. If possible, avoid going alone to vulnerable places for women, such as clubs or bars. You can also look for a place to stay or find a trusted female friend to accompany you while traveling.
