Mapping the Geography of Women's Fear: Exploring Risks, Safety, and Empowerment in Solo Travel Experiences

Abstract: This thesis explores women's travel experiences through the lens of feminist theories, focusing on women's safety during travel. It examines how gender norms and patriarchal system may affect women’s mobility and interactions with other cultures, all while being firmly rooted in a variety of feminist viewpoints. Historically confined to domestic roles, women have resiliently reclaimed their right to travel and freedom, leading to a rise in solo female travellers. Incorporating a feminist perspective, the study delves into the complexities and triumphs of these experiences, using image analysis and interviews for comprehensive data collection. The findings reveal a lack of safety for women travelling solo in particular in certain regions of the world, highlighting the concerns and risks that remain prevalent, underlining the urgent need to address the safety of female solo travellers.