Travelling
to far-flung exotic destinations can be a hugely rewarding experience that many
women in the West take for granted.
For
most, it is an entirely safe and liberating adventure that they will never
forget - for all the right reasons.
But
while wolf whistles, cat calls and belligerent taxi drivers may be an annoyance
for some solo travellers, there are some countries where women may be exposed
to misogyny, pestering and, in some extreme cases, danger.
Horrific
crimes against women have become worryingly commonplace in countries such as India,
but there are a number of popular holiday hotspots, such as Turkey and Morocco,
that may not be as female-friendly as you think, according to experts.
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| There are some countries where women exposed to misogyny, pestering and, in some cases, danger |
Julie
Kreutzer, co-owner of website the International Women's Travel Center, has
written extensively on the issue of women's safety abroad, and believes that
honesty is the best policy when it comes to discussing the dangers that solo
female travellers face.
She
said: 'I'm truly appalled at how unsafe and how unfriendly some places are. You
can't even enter some countries if you're a woman, yet most travel websites
just skirt around the issue and prefer to focus on what lipstick a woman should
wear.
'We're
absolutely in favour of women being adventurous and having a great time, but
let's not delude ourselves and say that women are welcome everywhere.
'There's
a big different from going to Brazil versus Denmark as a female traveller, at
least let's be honest about what the dangers are.'
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| Blogger and frequent traveller Amanda Williams advises female travels to be smart and listen to their gut |
London-based
American blogger Stephanie Yodel has travelled extensively and says she's
always felt relatively safe on her travels, and stresses the importance
separating the reality from the hype.
'I've
been very fortunate. I honestly don't feel like I've been anywhere particularly
dangerous, but I was definitely more on edge in South America than anywhere
else.
'Crime
rates are higher there and tourists can be targets for muggings, so I was
careful never to carry many valuables and not to be out alone after
dark.'
Expat
traveller Ali Garland now lives in Berlin and agrees that women have a few
extra challenges to deal with than men while travelling, although she says it's
no reason to stay at home.
'There
certainly are places where women are sort of second class citizens, and that
can be frustrating. But I just try to remember that most people are genuinely
nice, and I do my best to dress appropriately so I don't attract unwanted
attention.'
And
if you do travel to danger hot-spots, social media consultant and explorer Liz
Borod Wright advises against being too forthcoming on when sharing your
experiences.
'Be
wary of posting real-time updates on social media about where are you in case
someone is paying a little too close attention.
It's
safer to post that awesome photo to Instagram when you're on to the next
destination, especially if you plan to geo-tag it.
'And
while the instinct is to live-tweet your trip, it may be best to rave (or rant)
about your accommodations after you have checked out.'
Intrepid
traveller and blogger Amanda Williams advises female travellers to use their
common sense.
'I
would say to women just be smart and listen to your gut. Don't do anything you
wouldn't do at home - don't drink too much alone, don't go wandering alone at
night, don't go home with strangers, and read up on common scams.'
MailOnline
Travel has rounded up a number of popular destinations that solo female
travellers should visit with caution.
 |
| Some reports suggest that a sexual assault is reported every twenty minutes in India |
1) India
Gang
rapes of local women and tourists have reached worrying levels in parts of the
country with reports suggesting that a sexual assault is reported every twenty
minutes.
The
authorities struggle to bring many perpetrators to justice, and according to
the country's National Crime Record Bureau crimes against women have increased
by 7.1 per cent since 2010.
Earlier
this month a Japanese student was drugged and raped in northern India, and last
week horrifying video footage of two woman being gang raped by grinning men was
released by a campaign group in a bid to name and shame the attackers.
Ms
Williams says India is the only place she would think twice about visiting,
although not because she's concerned about her personal safety.
'It's
just a personal thing. I know plenty of women who have been there and loved it.
I just don't think I could deal with the grabbing and lack of personal space,'
she explains.
 |
| Reports of rape increased by 157% between 2009 and 2012, according to the Brazilian Health Ministry |
2)
Brazil
Stunning
images of scantily-clad women from Rio's world-famous Carnival does little to
mask the fact that much of Brazil remains in the grip of widespread violence
led by criminal gangs and abusive police.
And,
according to the Brazilian Health Ministry, rape increased by 157 per cent
between 2009 and 2012, spurred the country's machismo culture.
Two
years ago, an American tourist was gang raped on a public bus while her
handcuffed boyfriend looked on helplessly.
The
authorities tried to clean up their act for the FIFA World Cup last year, but
rape, gender-based violence and gunpoint robberies of tourists remain a
problem.
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| Istanbul is just hours from London although it is poles apart when it comes to attitudes towards woman |
3)
Turkey
Istanbul
is less than a four-hour flight from London, but it is poles apart when it
comes to attitudes towards woman.
The
attempted rape and subsequent murder of 20-year-old student Ozgecan Aslan last
week thrust the thorny issue of gender-based violence directly into the
headlines.
The
horrific crime sparked dozens of protests by women seeking to raise awareness
of violence against women, which is still a taboo subject in Turkey.
 |
| According to Thailand Domestic Violence Information Center, violence against women is a growing problem |
4)
Thailand
Millions
of tourists flock to Thailand every year, but the brutal murder of British
backpackers David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, who was also raped, in Koh Tao
last September lifted the lid on the country's seedy, and often violent,
underbelly.
In
2013, Thai police threatened to arrest a 20-year-old female Scottish student
who had been gang raped when no witnesses came forward to support her
claim.
According
to Thailand Domestic Violence Information Center, violence against women is a
growing problem in Thailand, fuelled, in part, by the widespread availability
recreational drug Yah Bah as well as alcohol.
 |
| In the aftermath of the 2011 revolution Egypt has seen a wave of sexual violence against women |
5)
Egypt
Package
holidays to Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada have been the mainstay of tourism in
Egypt for a number of years.
But
in the aftermath of the 2011 revolution the country has been gripped by
instability and an unprecedented wave of sexual violence against women.
With
fewer police on the streets, a sharp increase in the number of sex attacks -
including a British journalism student in Cairo's Tahrir Square - has seen
visitor numbers at the country's famous ruins dwindle.
 |
| Bogota, Colombia was found to have the most dangerous public transport system for women |
6)
Colombia
Tourism
in Colombia has enjoyed an enormous boost in recent years as the conflict-torn
country works towards addressing it troubled past.
But
while the country is undoubtedly far safer than it was even 10 years ago,
sexual violence against women remains widespread, particularly against
displaced women in poorer areas.
Colombia's
capital Bogota, which has no train system but a network of red buses, was found
to have the most unsafe public transport in a poll conducted by YouGov in 2014
for the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
According
to Human Rights Watch, corrupt police also have a poor track record when it
comes to protecting women, and rapists are rarely brought to justice.
 |
| More than 66,000 sexual offenses were reported in South Africa in 2012 and 2013 |
7)
South Africa
With
a new domestic airline - Skywise - launching in March, tourism in South Africa
is going from strength-to-strength.
Yet
despite its continuing popularity, it remains one of the most dangerous
countries in the world.
The
African nation has one of the highest rates of rape and sexual assault, and
robberies at gunpoint are commonplace.
More
than 66,000 sexual offenses were reported in 2012-2013, a rate of 127 sexual
offenses per 100,000 population.
 |
| A popular short-haul destination with Britons, Morocco has a poor record when it comes to women's rights |
8)
Morocco
Another
popular short-haul destination with Britons, Morocco has a poor record when it
comes to women's rights.
Female
travellers are advised to dress modestly and cover up in the conservative
Muslim country.
Although
the Foreign Office advises that violent crime isn't currently major issue, it's
common for female tourists, particularly those travelling on their own, to be
routinely harassed by men.
 |
| Many tourists travel to Mexico's beaches without problem, but violence persists in some parts of the country |
9)
Mexico
Although
millions of Americans - including high-profile celebrities - travel safely to
Mexico every year, parts of the country remain in the grip of utter
lawlessness.
While
the Mexican government does strive to protect tourist hotspots, such as Cancun,
Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, reports of gun crime and
violence still persist.
According
to the Foreign Office, violent rapes against women travelling on public
transport ('micros') is also a significant threat.
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| A UN report said 'women of all ages, education levels, and social groups' are subjected to violence in Kenya |
10)
Kenya
Kenya
has built a thriving tourist trade on the back of its incredible wildlife and
safari parks. What is less well-know, however, is its reputation for violence
against women.
According
to a report from United Nations Development Fund for Women, 'women of all ages,
education levels, and social groups, in rural and urban settings are subjected
to violence in Kenya.'
In
2010, a national survey indicated that 32 per cent of girls experienced
sexual violence before becoming adults, and in November last year, a sex attack
on a young woman wearing a short skirt provoked demonstrations by women
highlighting the country's widespread violence against women.
Kidnappings
and sexual assaults against tourists are also not uncommon.
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