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"I was expecting a very dangerous place for women. I didn't
think I was going to be safe here ... from coming here that's
not been the case, as a travelling female fan I can say that I
have felt very safe," England fan Ellie Molloson told Reuters.
Molloson, who is an ambassador for a campaign to tackle sexism
in football called HerGameToo, said that her father had been so
concerned that he accompanied her to Qatar to ensure that she
would be safe, but it turned out his services as a chaperone
were not needed.
The 19-year-old said that the lack of alcohol had contributed to
a less bawdy atmosphere around the games at the World Cup, but
in her opinion it was mostly cultural.
"I think it actually is due to a more socially conservative
society. I think alcohol contributes a bit more to hostility,
rather than things like catcalling, wolf whistling and sexual
harassment," she explained.
"I do like a lot of banter, I love a good atmosphere, you don't
really get so much of that here, It's very very different, but
with that it's much more pleasant, much more family-friendly ...
but you do not have quite the same atmosphere as you would in
England."
Argentina fan Ariana Gold, 21, told Reuters she was nervous
before travelling to the Middle East as she did not know what to
expect.
"It's really nice for women, I am very fond of football and when
I was in my country I thought maybe this (Qatar) is an area for
only men, and maybe it is uncomfortable for women but no, I am
very comfortable and it is very nice here," she said.
Alcohol is available in some bars and hotels in Qatar, but there
is a conspicuous lack of the kind of consumption usually seen at
the world's biggest football tournament.
"It's quite a good atmosphere still, even though there's no
drink and everyone's being sensible," England fan Emma Smith
said. "Everyone's getting on with it and everyone's happy."
Has the 33-year-old from Sheffield felt safe in Qatar?
"Yeah definitely, definitely -- because there's no alcohol
involved, it feels really safe," she said.
(Writing by by Philip O'Connor, reporting by Helena Williams)
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