International SOS on Women's Health and Security - On Best Practices when Travelling Abroad

Here are some of our health and safety advice for women travelling abroad:
 

1. Access to medication which may be in short supply in less developed/low income countries

Make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic checkup at least six to eight weeks before you depart. If you have an ongoing medical condition, ask your doctor about any additional

precautions you’ll need to take while away and find out if any vaccinations or health checks are required for your destination.
 

Always take a medical kit wherever you go, and consider packing medical items in a personal carryon bag so it will not be affected if checked luggage is lost or delayed. We’d advise you to carry your medication in its original packaging, and keep copies of your prescription with you. Women travellers can be susceptible to urine infections and thrush, and they can be side effects of certain kinds of malaria tablets. If you think you may be at risk, ask your doctor if you can take some medication with you.
 

2. Sanitary supplies and contraception

If you are due a period while you are away and are travelling outside of the Western World, it would be wise to take sanitary supplies with you as they may be unavailable in some cultures. Alternatively, you may wish to speak to your doctor about continuing your contraception to avoid having a period

whilst away.
 

If the issues of contraception come up, make sure that you plan ahead, discuss your contraception with your doctor, and consider packing supplies. If you suffer from diarrhoea while away, this can interrupt the absorption of the pill, and may leave you unprotected. If you are contacting an International SOS clinic or helpline, we ensure that there are female nurses and doctors available should you wish to speak to somebody.
 

3. Risks to personal safety
 

Dress modestly to avoid drawing attention to yourself, avoid wearing expensive jewellery and observe and respect local clothing customs. If you do receive attention from local men, ignore any propositions or suggestive comments they may make.
 

When walking alone in the street, keep your handbag and business luggage away from passing traffic. Familiarise yourself with your itinerary, walk purposefully and avoid using a map in full view. It is also a good idea to separate your credit cards from your cash; if one source is lost or stolen you still have a backup. When driving, roll up windows to within a few inches at the top, park in well-lit areas and always lock your doors.

 

Ensure your hotel room numbers remain confidential. Do not display the room's key tag in public areas, and stress that the room number should not be given to any inquirers. When checking in, ask the receptionist to write the room number down, rather than tell you within earshot of other

people.
 

Insist that the hotel room has a key-chain, deadlock and spy-hole, and that the door and window locks work properly. Never open the door to anyone without taking precautions. If someone claims to be a member of staff, get their name and department and check.
 

4. Implications for pregnancy whilst travelling
 

If you’re planning to travel while pregnant be sure to see your doctor well in advance. Make sure your travel health insurance covers pregnancy-related conditions and neonatal care. It’s also worth checking your airline’s rules for pregnant passengers as some require a letter from your doctor

confirming your stage of pregnancy.
 

Water quality can vary widely, so only drink boiled or bottled water - but plenty of it - and avoid ice. Avoid any pre-peeled fruit or salad, only eat fruit and vegetables that you peel and wash yourself. Avoid malarial zones, if possible. Even when taking anti-malarial drugs, pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the illness, which tends to affect them more severely.
 

Steer clear of altitude destinations higher than 12,000 feet as it is unknown what effects this may have on an unborn baby.
 

5. Know your surroundings
 

Knowing some information about your destination can be very important, whilst assumptions can be quite dangerous. Start by finding out which time zone your destination is in early, so you can start mentally and physically preparing for the adjustment.
 

Have you been there before? Do you know where the office is located and what local contacts will be available to support you? If not, speak to colleagues at home and abroad who may be able to provide you with this information.
 

Some countries offer female only hotels, which you may prefer to stay in. When booking your hotel room, floors 3 – 6 give good security as they’re far enough away from the lobby area but are still reachable by a fire engine in the event of an emergency. Will you be able to review the streets surrounding your hotel and the route the office in the daylight? An understanding of the basic geography of the city and potential trouble spots may be invaluable so look-up the hotel website and speak to work security experts and people who’ve visited the country before.
 

International SOS members should read the country information on travel security online, review the standing travel advice and information provided in our cultural issues and etiquette section, and the security information for businesswomen. In addition, members are welcome to call the International

SOS Assistance Centres for additional information and advice.