Dear Readers,
I often talk here about how people are the same around the world, but do you know who has the most in common? Women. Life is harder for women in comparison to men. All women. No matter where they’re from. Women are talked over. They’re paid less. They apologize more. Those are the minor things. They’re also assaulted more. Trafficked more. In danger more. They’re treated to fewer basic human rights like education or freedom of movement.
But women around the world are also tough, and intelligent, and fighting for equality. And thanks to themselves–to their marching and voting and working–things are getting better. In fact, there’s never been a better time to be a woman, and while there’s still a long way to go, that’s encouraging.
Women who travel alone or with other women have their own things in common. At some point, they will all be told they’re “brave” for doing something men do daily, and at another point asked if they’re scared. They will be nervous walking at night in areas where men don’t need to be nervous. They’ll be stared at more than once while walking down the street–in every country–and probably get other unwanted attention (catcalls, photos, beeping horns) more than once as well. In some places, they’ll be subject to a different set of rules. They’ll have to grapple with the fact that no matter how independent and capable they are, solo travel, like life, is simply more dangerous for women.
In the restaurant industry, which we cover often, sexual harassment is rampant and pay equity is a big problem. And when it comes to writing, books by women are priced lower, women freelance writers make 55 percent of what men in their field make, and women make up only 37 percent of newsroom staffs. These are just a few of the depressing statistics that lead women to give each other advice like “pretend you’re a white male.” We should also recognize that women of color face even more inequality in everything from assault to wages to healthcare. This is unacceptable.
As a woman who travels almost full-time, who worked in the restaurant industry for many years, and who makes a living as a freelance writer, I am far too familiar with these statistics. But like many women I’m also doing some pretty cool things despite them. I landed a dream freelance gig last month and this seed of a magazine I thought up last year to change the way people travel actually exists–and you’re reading it! Yes this is self promotion and no you shouldn’t be ashamed of it either.
All month we’re telling stories about women doing amazing things–like making wine despite the odds in Mexico; empowering women through food in Sri Lanka; fighting against harassment in Morocco; teaching people about ethical travel in Pakistan and beyond; breaking barriers in bartending in Iraq and New York; starting conversations about women’s issues as priestesses in Iran; making some of the world’s best cheese; raising children to be responsible citizens and curious travelers; and more. We’ll also honor women’s suffrage in the United States through stories about Wyoming–where women had been voting for 50 years by the time the 19th amendment granted that right nationwide. These stories are about incredible women, by incredible women, and I’m very proud to share them with you over the next few weeks.
Susan B. Anthony said: “The day may be approaching when the whole world will recognize woman as the equal of man.” It’s a disgrace that almost 150 years later that day has not actually come. But as we know, women are resilient.
Happy Women’s History Month! Let’s go make some more of it.
–Rebecca
