In spite of recent female candidates for president, such as Elisa Carrió, and the very visible women-owned and -run businesses in the restaurant and tourism industries, Argentina remains, at heart, a sexist country. There is a glass ceiling for women in many corporations, and female beauty is highly idealized above all other traits. Men are extremely flirtatious, and leering looks are common and rarely discreet, owing perhaps to the strong Italian influence in the country. While disconcerting, any looks and calls you might get are rarely more than that. Drunken men in clubs can sometimes be physically harassing, however. If you seek to avoid unwanted attention, don't dress skimpily (as many Porteñas do). Women should be cautious when walking alone at night and should take radio-taxis after dark.
In the rare and unlikely event of an assault or sexual attack, contact the police immediately. More help can also be received from the Centro de Estudios Cultura y Mujer (CECYM), Guatemala 4294 (tel. 11/4865-9102; www.cecym.org.ar). It specializes in sexual violence against women, but not all of the staff members speak English. The group also conducts arts programs, discussions, and other events related to the feminist movement within Argentina.
Single women, or women whose partners refuse to dance, who want to take advantage of the tango scene can contact Tanguera Tours (www.tangueratours.com), which offers specialized tango tours for groups of women. The tango scene in general, with its strict rules, combining both chauvinism and chivalry, is a safe option for single women to try their hand at dancing. Nothing more than a dance is expected of a woman who accepts an invitation on the dance floor. In spite of tango's brothel roots, misbehavior among men is frowned upon in tango settings today. Opera Bay in Puerto Madero provides a low-key environment and is good for mature women.
Check out the award-winning website Journeywoman (www.journeywoman.com), a "real life" women's travel information network where you can sign up for a free e-mail newsletter and get advice on everything from etiquette and dress to safety; or the travel guide Safety and Security for Women Who Travel, by Sheila Swan and Peter Laufer (Travelers' Tales, Inc.), offering common-sense tips on safe travel.
