5 Safety tips for women

International Women’s Day, commemorated on 8 March, is the perfect opportunity for South Africans to renew their commitment to the safety of women and daughters.

The theme this year is #Breakthebias – a strong call to forge a gender equal world.

ALSO READ: Miss SA #BeReady campaign to inspire youth 

‘We believe a big part of this involves a refreshed drive to ensure any sort of crime against women is rooted out,’ said Charnel Hattingh, head of marketing and communications for Fidelity Services Group.

‘We should use days such as this to remind ourselves that we must do more to make life secure for women.’
Hattingh encourages women to always remain vigilant and remain on the side of caution.

Tips for staying safe
• Trust your instincts. Women have great intuition and should listen to their instincts. If someone or something makes you feel uneasy, avoid the individual and leave the area
• Make contact with your private security service provider and ask if they offer a mobile panic alarm service, which could be downloaded to your mobile phone
• Tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return. Save the details of your emergency contact on your mobile phone, or memorise these
• Be aware of people around you when heading to your vehicle, especially at places such as shopping centres and petrol stations. Ensure you take a moment to check the street before pulling into a driveway, be it your own or someone else’s
• When driving, once you are inside your vehicle, ensure all the doors are locked. Never drive with a handbag or any other valuable items on a seat or in view of anyone looking into your vehicle from the outside. Try to ensure your car is a mobile-free zone so you can concentrate on your surrounds.

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