elpais.com
Brazilian Women-Only Trekking Agency Addresses Safety Concerns
Elas nas montanhas, a Brazilian women-only trekking agency founded two years ago, addresses safety concerns for women travelers in Latin America by organizing trips throughout Brazil and Latin America, providing a supportive environment for women of all experience levels, with over 100 participants.
- What is the significance of Elas nas montanhas in addressing the safety and empowerment of women travelers in Latin America?
- Elas nas montanhas, a Brazilian women-only trekking agency, formed in response to safety concerns and a lack of female-friendly trekking groups. The agency organizes trips throughout Brazil and Latin America, providing a supportive and empowering environment for women of all experience levels. Over one hundred women have participated since its founding two years ago.
- How does the agency address the challenges faced by women travelers in remote areas, and what are the broader implications of these challenges?
- The agency's formation highlights a significant safety concern for women traveling solo in Latin America, particularly in remote areas. The recent murder of a Venezuelan cyclist in the Amazon highlights the risks, while official data from 2023 shows over 75,000 cases of violence against women in Brazil, including almost 4,000 homicides. This underscores the need for safer travel options for women.
- What are the potential future impacts of Elas nas montanhas and similar initiatives, and how might they contribute to changing societal attitudes towards women in adventure travel?
- Elas nas montanhas demonstrates a growing trend of women-centric adventure travel, driven by safety concerns and a desire for a supportive community. Future growth may depend on addressing challenges like overcoming negative perceptions and expanding into new regions. The agency's success suggests a broader market need for gender-specific adventure experiences that prioritize safety and empowerment.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the story around the positive aspects of women-only trekking groups, highlighting the sense of safety, empowerment, and sorority. While acknowledging some criticisms, the framing largely emphasizes the benefits and minimizes potential drawbacks.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, although words like "empowerment," "sorority," and "vulnerable" carry positive or negative connotations. The descriptions of the women's experiences are generally positive, highlighting their strength and resilience. More objective language could strengthen the article's neutrality.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the experiences of women in trekking groups and doesn't offer a comparative analysis of similar experiences for men. While the murder of Julieta Hernández is mentioned to illustrate the dangers faced by women travelers, there's no discussion of whether men face similar risks while traveling alone in remote areas. The lack of comparative data limits a full understanding of the issue.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the issue as either 'women-only' trekking groups or groups with a predominantly male and competitive atmosphere. It doesn't explore other possibilities, such as mixed-gender groups with a focus on collaboration and safety.
Gender Bias
The article centers on the experiences of women and uses their voices to highlight the challenges they face while traveling in predominantly male environments. While this focus is understandable given the topic, it could benefit from including the perspectives of men who support women's safety initiatives or have experienced similar challenges, providing a more balanced perspective.
Sustainable Development Goals
The initiative Elas nas montanhas directly addresses gender inequality by creating safe and supportive travel experiences for women in Latin America. The article highlights how women often face safety concerns and even violence while traveling alone, particularly in remote areas. By organizing trips exclusively for women, the initiative fosters a sense of community, security, and empowerment, allowing women to overcome barriers to outdoor recreation and adventure. The initiative also tackles the issue of gender-based violence, providing a safe space for women and challenging the gender norms in a typically male-dominated activity.