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Honduras People: Women in Business

 
 
Honduras: Women on the Global Road

Now an established presence in the management workforce and as traveling executives, women may find themselves on the road as much as their male counterparts in seeking to further business opportunities. However, specific gender concerns do need addressing when it comes to conducting business and travel in a country, place, or culture other than one's own. Arming oneself with information in advance will do wonders in overcoming many a difficult situation. The best sources from which to derive helpful hints are other female travelers. Seek them out and inquire of them what to expect, most especially those who have been to the destination to which you will travel. In a pinch, their tips may turn out to be your saving grace. Similarly, upon arrival it is in a woman's interest to observe female behavior in the country of travel to learn what is appropriate and how best to blend in with the locals.
 
Advice for Female Travelers

After an OXFAM program coordinator walked with a female coworker through the streets of Tegucigalpa, he wrote the following: "I hear comments form the men who lounge against the market stalls. 'Hey mamacita, let me have a little touch.' 'Psst--What an arse.' 'Don't tempt me, beautiful.' Regina ignores the comments ... she explains that dealing with these comments is part of everyday experience for Central American women."

The personal safety issue in Honduras should be a female traveler's constant concern. Honduran police speak only Spanish, and there are no special tourist police to assist visitors. Poverty, gangs, and low arrest levels result in a very high crime rate. Almost every man in Honduras carries a gun, knife, or machete, and many women do so as well. Criminals target tourists and wealthy businesspeople. Street crime is a major concern with violence on the increase. If you are victimized, do not resist. The criminals are interested in your possessions, not your body. Sexual assault is still relatively rare.
 
Women in Business

Government statistics show that one-third of the workforce in Honduras is female and that many women operate businesses, but that doesn't paint a clear picture. Most of the women included in these numbers work in factories in free trade zones producing garments for export. To say these women occupy a secondary status in a male-dominated culture is also misleading. For example, the National Labor Committee discovered that female factory workers in the Choloma region were regularly injected with contraceptives and told they were receiving tetanus shots. In other factories, contraceptive pills were passed out to all women regardless of their medical conditions. Those who refused the shots or pills were suspended without pay.

Foreign businesswomen are expected to be highly professional, appropriate, and not aggressive or confrontational. Making comments or conversations about working conditions for Honduran women is one of the subjects considered "confrontational" by Honduran males. Such assertive behavior often proves counterproductive because it not only brands the female as "aggressive" but also causes men in her group to be considered "weak" or "unmanly." Honduran males react to the so-called "aggressive" female by being more and more polite and courteous in her presence.

Many female business travelers find they can work better with firms owned and managed by women. But don't make the mistake of thinking that the Honduran businesswoman shares your philosophical outlook. Keep reminding yourself that things work out only si Dios quiere .

The best advice is to have a game plan for how to present yourself and your ideas before you arrive in Honduras. Keep your goals clearly in mind and, as trite as it may sound, a smile on your face.
 
Cultural Considerations

In general, women traveling to a foreign country should adopt conservative tone and behavior to keep any unwanted attention at bay, at least until familiar with the specifics of female roles in the country.

Cultural Tips
  • State your wishes clearly so that mixed signals do not become a problem.
  • Wear a wedding band and carry a photograph of a husband and children (even if you have none) to stave off harassment.
  • Try and look for other women to sit near on public transport; all-women compartments or areas are designated for this purpose.
  • To repel harassment, ignore sexual advances, exposed genitalia, whistles, and various forms of catcalls; avoid eye contact and do not engage in any conversation.
 
Business Attire

Honduras is a poor country and many of its citizens wear secondhand clothing imported from wealthier nations. T-shirts with slogans in English, French, or German are everywhere, but the person wearing the shirt may not know what the words say. In contrast, wealthy businesspeople are very fashion-conscious and wear the latest styles from North America and Europe. 

In general, a conservative business suit will do well for both men and women. Keep in mind the more humid climate and choose natural fabrics, if possible. Nights can get cool, so bring suitable covering. A collapsible umbrella is also suggested for frequent afternoon showers, especially in the rainy season, mid-May to mid-September.
 
Women?s Health Issues

Traveling involves extra stress and health concerns to consider. Change of diet, time zone, and living conditions will take up an enormous amount of physical reserve. Women should consider taking extra vitamin, mineral, and food supplements to ensure optimum physical health. Since many travelers avoid meat in developing countries, supplements are further encouraged. Other points to consider:
  • Expect to experience irregular menstrual cycles or none at all due to jet lag, stress, and new and irregular eating and sleeping habits.
  • Bring any female hygiene products that you use at home, i.e.: tampons, pads, medication, prescriptions, etc. as they may not be readily available at the time of your arrival or even at all.
  • Birth control pills may not work properly if you experience stomach upset or diarrhea. If you vomit within three hours of digesting a pill, take another to ensure proper protection.
  • Yeast infections become more problematic in hot, humid climates. Stick to cotton undergarments and clothing that is loose fitting to allow maximum airflow to your body. Nylons and tight pants may also induce yeast infections. Come prepared with medication.
  • Carry the telephone number or email of your gynecologist at home in case you have urgent questions. Try and steer clear of gynecological examinations in developing countries due to hygienic conditions.
 
 
Helpful Resources

Advancing Women
 Web: www.advancingwomen.com

Canasian Businesswomen's Network
 Email: cabninfo@apfc.apfnet.org

The International Alliance (TIA)
 Email: info@t-i-a.com

Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT)
 Web: www.owit.org

Women in Technology International (WITI)
 Web: www.witi.org/Center/Offices/About
Email: info@witi.org

Women's Institute of Management (WIMNET)
 Web: www.jaring.my/wimnet

Working Woman
 Web: www.workingwoman.com
 
9 Business Strategies for Women

  1. Prepare in advance what to expect, not only in terms of business, but attitude of the local culture toward women.
  2. Behave and dress conservatively; it is your first and basic step toward gaining respect.
  3. Anticipate equality issues as they will likely surface.
  4. Maintain a sense of humor. A foreign country has many oddities, your presence possibly being one of them. Relieve some of the stress with a humorous outlook.
  5. Brush off sexual innuendos and comments about appearance and carry on with the business at hand. Keep a cultural outlook on such remarks. If a member of the other delegation becomes a problem or nuisance, take him aside and inform him that it makes you uncomfortable, or tell another member of his delegation to put a stop to it.
  6. Exhibit tolerance and understanding for the other culture. Questions about your marital status and family may prove ubiquitous, as it interests people how things work for you. 
  7. If you are a team leader, prepare your delegation in advance to treat you in a matter-of-fact, supportive fashion. A reaction from a delegation unaccustomed to working with females in authority may be derailed a bit if they observe your role is nothing but routine. 
  8. Generational attitude differences may exist toward women. Prepare to adjust to them.
  9. Professional behavior, a respect for local traditions, and an in-demand service or product will assist you as a businesswoman.
 
7 General Safety Tips
 
  1. Prearrange transportation for your arrival. In many countries, hagglers and touts will approach you at the airport offering transportation options. If you have none, decline and find the transportation booth in the airport; or, if possible, befriend someone on your flight with whom you might share a cab.
  2. If you are being dropped off in an unlit area, ask your driver to wait until you are safely inside. Women should avoid traveling alone at night.
  3. Find out from your hotel staff where it is safe to go alone and what areas merit avoiding.
  4. If you plan on meeting with a stranger, do it in a busy place outside of your hotel.
  5. If you encounter someone gesturing or honking for you to stop, do not stop until you have found a busy public place with plenty of lighting before determining the problem.
  6. If you find yourself on a crowded bus, subway, or train with a male pressing up against you in an obviously sexual way, try embarrassing him by shouting in English. Public shame or humiliation will often keep further advances at bay.
  7. Try and look for other women to sit near on public transport. If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, get out of it.
 
Hotel Safety Tips
 
  1. Women should ask for a room on the second floor or higher and near the center of the hallway corridor away from fire exits where would-be assaulters can lurk and escape with more ease.
  2. Don't feel shy about asking to see your room before deciding to take it.
  3. Do not let anyone except the front desk clerk see or overhear the number of your room.
  4. Do not show your room key in public, and keep it under tight security.
  5. Avoid stairwells, an easy place for assaulters to hide, and don't travel in elevators alone with male strangers about whom your instincts send you a warning bell. If a stranger is wandering the halls when you plan to enter or exit your room, wait until he leaves. If he doesn't, report him to the front desk.
  6. Do not open the door for anyone who knocks whom you do not expect. Use the peephole. Call the front desk if necessary to verify the presence of any hotel staff wishing to enter.
  7. When leaving the room, put out the "do not disturb" sign, and leave the TV on if you wish to deter possible thieves.
  8. Pack a flashlight should the lights suddenly go out.
  9. Take the business card of your hotel before going out in case you get lost. Do not give out the name of your hotel unless absolutely necessary, and do not share with anyone that you are alone. Use your creativity and make up a story if you must.
  10. Always lock the door when you are inside the room. A portable extra door-locking device may prove a prudent pre-trip purchase. A rubber doorstopper is also an easy item to pack.

Global Road Warrior, Copyright 2003 World Trade Press. All Rights Reserved. No sample or information therein may be used without express permission from World Trade Press.