Changing the Way Women Travel

08 September 2016 ,  —

Johannesburg


International SOS and Control Risks are Changing the Way Women Travel

Travel security workshop hosted by International SOS in partnership with KPMG

  • The number of women that travel abroad for business is growing year on year.1  
  • A 2015 survey of travellers found that for women: 80% worried about their personal safety while abroad, with financially motivated crimes being the most common concerns. 2
  • Almost 30% of the destinations women travel to are rated as having “Extreme”, “High”, or “Medium” travel risk.3
  • Women travelling to destinations rated as having “Extreme” or “High” travel risk increased 24%.1
Europe 600 concerns
International SOS’ commitment to travel safety was once again effectively demonstrated today when they hosted a Women Travel Security workshop, in partnership with KPMG. The one-day workshop held in Rosebank, was attended by female Security Managers, Risk Managers, Travel and HR Managers, Executive and Personal Assistants as well as women business travellers in general. During the workshop, over 50 delegates learned first-hand how to raise an individual's situational awareness and provide guidance on how to identify potential perpetrators, in addition, ways in which one can react should an attack occur.

While there are certain safety rules all travellers should follow, women travellers may face unique security situations when abroad. Women are often viewed as vulnerable targets, and will generally face a higher level of risk than their male counterparts. The main threats more likely affecting women are: sexual harassment, sexual assault and bag theft (which may seem trivial on the surface, but can lead to larger issues). 

Paul O’Brien, Security Director - Middle East, North-East and Southern Africa - for International SOS and Control Risks, said that the workshop was an important contribution to facilitating wide-ranging occurrences that many women travellers face. 

“Today, there are more women travelling for business than ever before and in light of this, organisations are looking for support and advice to help business travellers and international assignees stay protected; ensuring that their work is uninterrupted. It is against this backdrop that we decided to host this much needed workshop with KPMG in an effort to ensure that the practical exercises and knowledge shared in this workshop will aid to create awareness of the unique risks posed to women travellers ahead of their travel, helping to generate a positive and safe environment for all,” said O’Brien. 

Some of the pertinent topics that were discussed at the workshop included:
Best practices to tactically and effectively respond to a security emergency or crisis situation.
How to mitigate risk and be prepared for a security emergency while travelling abroad.
How to use International SOS membership and how the Assistance Centre can help.      
Insights on some of the most recent information concerning travel security that should be on the traveller’s radar.

Maylee Lubbe, IARCS Group Director, said that the workshop has also been designed to empower Executive and Personal Assistants with the skills to know the Dos and Don’ts when booking flights and accommodation for their female clients.

“KPMG is proud to be part of this workshop, and maintains that this is a critical platform on which to raise standards, heighten awareness, share experiences in women travel security, and educate all stakeholders on the various complexities that are prevalent within this space,” said Lubbe.

About International SOS and Control Risks

Our alliance brings together two of the world’s leading medical and security specialists, International SOS and Control Risks. Our combined resources and expertise are well placed to meet the customers’ growing need for integrated travel security risk services. Our solutions ensure that mobile employees are safe and productive and help employers with their duty of care obligations. 50 dedicated experts, located across the globe with access to over 200 dedicated travel security experts through 26 regional Assistance Centres and a partner network of over 700 accredited providers, produce global travel security information and analysis 24/7. We also provide travel security training, preventative travel assessment, support with the development of travel security risk policies, evacuation plans and the latest technology to enable clients to track and communicate with their mobile employees.