Last updated on October 7th, 2024
FEEL EMPOWERED + CONFIDENT
Safety Resources for Women Travellers
Safety starts with the right mindset
While women have taken great steps forward in travel, representing two-thirds of all travellers, we still have to plan for our personal safety when we travel. With a safety mindset and careful planning, women can prepare for any situation, at home or abroad.
JourneyWoman has been leading the safety dialogue for almost 30 years, and even created the Government of Canada’s guide for solo travel for women, called Her Own Way, which is still in use today. In 2021, we conducted a global Solo Travel Women’s Safety Survey, showing that 88% of women had been threatened or felt unsafe while travelling.
How do we define safety?
“As a woman, being able to move about freely all over the world without having to worry about personal safety, is my definition of safety in the context of future travel.”
Today, safety includes mobility and accessiblity, transportation and health and hygiene. It also includes online safety, which is why we’ve expanded our resources to include tips on online dating, cybersecurity and more.
We hope this information empowers women to take control of any situation.
Top Safety Tips for Solo TravellersÂ
Latest Articles on SafetyÂ
When Something Goes Wrong: What to Do if You’re Injured While Travelling
Anything can happen on a vacation. Here are some first-hand tips for women to plan for an unexpected injury.
JourneyWoman Webinar: Women’s Safety and Cybersecurity on November 19, 2024
Join our panel of experts on November 19 to learn how to protect yourself against cybersecurity at home and while traveling.
Planning for an Emergency During Travel: Safety Tips for Earthquakes, Forest Fires and More
Unpredictable weather patterns mean that women need to be prepared for natural disasters, from forest fires to earthquakes.
Travel Technology: What is a VPN or Virtual Private Network?
Our Travel Technology series answers the question: ‘what is a VPN’, to help you protect your privacy on public networks.
JourneyWoman Webinar: Human Trafficking and Travel — What You Need to Know
January 2024 is human trafficking prevention month. Join us to learn about human trafficking and travel on January 23, 2024.
Hold The Phone, Grandma: Safe Etiquette for Grandkid Holiday Snaps and Social Media
Suggestions for grandparents when posting holiday photos on social media, particularly when traveling with grandchildren.
How to Stay Safe When You Travel: Introducing our New Cybersecurity Course for Women
To help increase awareness of online safety before, during and after travel, JourneyWoman has introduced a new cybersecurity course with digital safety expert Paige Hanson, just in time for Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October).
With the War in Israel, Where is it Safe to Travel Right Now?
With the war in Israel, should we travel to Egypt and Jordan? How to stay safe and alternatives to travel in other regions around the world.
Safe and Affordable Countries for Senior Women to Travel Solo
We invited experienced female solo travellers over 50 to share their first-hand advice on safe and affordable countries for seniors.
12 Cyber Security Travel Tips For Women
Protect yourself when you travel with these expert cyber security tips, including password management tips for World Password Day on May 4.
Introducing the JourneyWoman CyberSecurity Webinar Series: Staying Safe Online
Learn how to protect your online safety with our CyberSafety Webinars in April and May with cybersecurity expert Paige Hanson.
What Women Need to Know About Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking and Travel
As travellers, we can play an active role disrupting human trafficking, which affects millions of women and girls around the world.
Solo Travel Safety Resource Centre
Cyber Security Safety Tips
Six things to keep your data safe
Self-Defense Tips from an Expert
Lorna Selig shares her top tips to empower you
Staying Safe in Hotels
Women need their own checklist
Sex with Strangers
Tips for ensuring safety
Survey Says Women’s Solo Travel Safety is Still an Issue
Read all the findings here
12 Things Every Solo Traveller Should Pack
Pack light, pack safe
Not all travel has a happy ending
What you need to know
Planning for Natural Disasters
Tips to help you prepare for an earthquake or tsunami
Best Safety Products for Solo Women Travelers Over 50
Stay safe with these products
Six Safety Tips for Online Dating
How to protect yourself from online harrassment
Walking and Mobility Tips
Tips to avoid injury for the ‘slower-moving set’
12 Ways to Trick Thieves
Proecting your valuables on the road
Self-Defense Tips From an Expert
Let’s take back our power
Regardless of where we are, or what age we are, or whether we’re abroad or at home, we need to feel empowered and confident. Safety starts with the right mindset, using proven safety tips and common sense. The next step then is to empower ourselves with self-defense skills so that we can be ready for any situation, at home or abroad. We need not be victims.Â
Tip 1: Find your voice: scream, yell and shout!
Tip 2: Fight, Punch and Kick!
Tip 3: Run like hell!
Tip 4: Manage Your Adrenaline
Four Keys to Personal SafetyÂ
Lorna Selig of Safe4 Life recommends four keys to personal safety to keep you protected and safe, regardless of where you are in the world, of how you’re showing up and what your environment looks like. Â
#1: Be aware: Put the phone away, make eye contact, briefly, Trust your instincts, Walk confidently
#2: Establish and protect your boundaries: Step back. Walk around and go to the back of the line-up.Â
#3: Confidence and Skills:Â Learn self-defense skills and practice them.
#4: Have a Safety plan: It should include fighting, shouting, running to safety, and breathing.
Watch the video of our self-defense training to learn moreÂ
