Traveling as a Woman: Revelations

Traveling as a woman? Full of questions, some wide eyes, certain taboos, and plenty of prejudices. Especially concerning safety or insecurity: traveling as a woman is dangerous! A solo female traveler? Completely insane! Why do we still hear such reactions? Why is travel for women still at the heart of an age-old debate... and most importantly, why is it high time for attitudes to evolve: this is what I want to talk to you about here!

In the 21st century, traveling as a woman still seems to surprise some people. The default in the collective imagination is still the male traveler. When conjugated in the feminine, this word full of adventures and discoveries suddenly takes on an aura of originality and even insecurity. Female traveler?...

And yet!

Yet according to numerous statistics, there are more female travelers on the roads than male travelers: many travel as couples and many also travel alone or in groups of girls (more than their male counterparts). Surprising, isn't it?

So why all this fuss about female travelers? Why so many questions, fears, even fierce opposition?

There are no shortage of male models of great travelers and adventurers, whether in cinema or in books, while the great female travelers often remain unknown to the general public. Yet they exist! The examples are plentiful:

In this article, I would like to address a central point regarding apprehensions and clichés about female travel: safety. In a future article, I will attempt to answer the questions that have been posed to me, both through the blog and during my encounters, regarding travel as a woman and everything it entails in a female traveler's concrete life: contraception, menstruation, hair removal... and other topics as well if you have new questions!

Before diving into the heart of the matter, I would like to ask a question that may seem simple, trivial, or even stupid at first glance:

Why do we focus on the safety of women when traveling?

Why more than for men? And why is it specifically the issue of insecurity that comes to the forefront whenever we talk about travel for women? If we dig a little deeper, we realize that these questions go beyond the realm of travel and concern the representation of women in society, as well as their education, gender differences...

Yes, some will see me coming with my big feminist boots, but whether or not you are convinced of the need to reflect on and act upon gender inequality, I would like you to watch this video before continuing: > (To Raise Brave Girls, Encourage Adventure), a talk given by Caroline Paul at TEDWomen in 2016.

The education of children produces brave boys and wise, perfect little girls, girls who do not dare to take risks, girls who are told that taking risks is too dangerous for them. If this topic interests you, I also recommend watching this TED talk from 2016 by Reshma Saujani > (Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection).

Now that we've somewhat demystified this need for security associated with female travelers, let's talk more concretely: what about safety when traveling?

Traveling 100% safely simply does not exist. Just as living with 100% safety is a dangerous utopia. Just like walking in your own capital isn't without risk, traversing the roads of the world can carry some potential dangers. Personally, the only place in the world where I have been robbed and attacked is precisely in my capital, the city where I live!

We maintain a sort of primal illusion that nothing can happen to us at home, and that conversely, the unknown, the foreigner (and by extension...) is a source of threats and dangers.

But let's be clear: it's a myth!

An age-old myth. Like any stereotype, it has its use: to keep the mind alert, to be aware of risks in a new environment... and conversely, not to be on guard 24/7 when at home, which would be nervously exhausting.

And as with all myths, it's important to understand its origin, its utility... and to distance oneself from it. Becoming aware of clichés allows you to go further. In this case, to let go of this irrational fear, like the fear of the monster hiding under the bed when we were children.

Again, I'm not saying that traveling is without risk, but this risk should be put in perspective. And certain good attitudes can help prevent many of these risks. I elaborate more on this in an article about clichés regarding insecurity in South America.

Read: >

If traveling alone as a man raises a few eyebrows, the female version welcomes fearful or dismayed expressions. Women still retain this image of a frightened little bird, a fragile little thing to be protected. Perhaps it's high time to change these old scratched records!

This reminds me of a travel story > and this passage:

Time to reconsider the image of >... because it does not exist in the singular! There are as many female travelers as there are styles of travel, dreams, and personalities behind these projects.

And it also calls into question > this solo female traveler status, because, even though it's not my case, many female travelers do travel solo. The examples abound on the roads and are reflected in numerous travel blogs like those of Corinne, Aline, Lucie, Audrey, Marie-Julie, Annick-Marie, Jennifer, Rachel, Mélissa, Jenny, Sarah, Aude... and many more!

PS: Just because someone travels alone doesn't mean they are alone the whole time! Travel is an opportunity to make encounters and share parts of the journey... Don't be afraid to take the leap!

Read the article: >

I hope this first article on the subject of travel for women has pleased you. I started writing wishing to answer the practical questions I have received since starting this blog... and then I realized that I could not answer them without taking this space to share this message: women are just as courageous, strong, intelligent, and creative... as men. It's normal to travel, regardless of one's gender: travel should not be a gender issue! I hope that in a few years, articles like this one will be completely outdated...

Feel free to share your reactions with me in the comments. And if you have specific questions about female travelers (for example, regarding contraception, menstruation, hair removal... or who knows what!), send them to me through the comments. I will answer them in a future, more practical article on travel for women.

Practical information articles to answer your questions are out! Traveling as a Woman: In Practice - for everything concerning contraception and menstruation; and Traveling as a Woman: In Practice (Part 2) - for everything related to hair removal, bras, hygiene, and beauty.

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