Which is the most unsafe country for women?

WEB DESK: Certain countries are particularly dangerous for women, often arising from high levels of violence, cultural or systemic gender discrimination and limited access to education, medical and legal resources.

Here is a list of most dangerous countries to be a woman in:

1. South Africa

South Africa has frequently topped the lists as the most unsafe country for women due to wide spread gender-based violence.

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According to World Population Review, a mere 25 per cent of South African women feel safe walking alone on the streets.

Most reports have cited South African women experiencing high rates of sexual violence, harassment and even human trafficking.

 2. India

The second most dangerous country for women is India. It is also the most unsafe country for women in Asia.

Despite fast becoming one of biggest economies in the world, Indian women still suffer from violence based on cultural and systemic views.

Indian women suffer from domestic violence, sexual harassment and assault. Human trafficking is particularity high.

Meanwhile, the legal system often fails to protect women or give them justice.

3. Afghanistan

Another South Asian country on the list, Afghanistan has become an increasingly unsafe country for women.

Since the return of Taliban to power following the withdrawal of United States (US) and NATO forces, women in Afghanistan face severe restriction on their freedoms.

Women’s access to education and medical facilities has depleted, with most unable to even leave their homes without a male guardian. This also prevents them from leaving abusive partners, as they are not permitted to work.

Afghanistan has also seen a spike in terrorist attacks claimed by ISIS-K. The ongoing conflict and political instability has further exacerbated the risks for Afghan women.

Domestic violence and selling young girls for basic necessities has become common place, with nearly 97 per cent of the Afghan populace living below poverty line.

4. Somalia

Somalia is the fourth unsafe country for women on the list due to the ongoing civil war between two military rulers.

Somali women also face significant dangers due to harmful cultural practices. They lack access to proper medical facilities, with limited economic resources exacerbating the issue.

As with Afghanistan, lack of legal protection and systemic gender-discrimination practices makes Somalia an extremely dangerous environment to be a woman.

5. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently in the news for the emergence of a virulent strain of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).

However, it has also made headlines over the years for its widespread sexual violence against women. The situation is worsened by decades of conflict and political instability.

Women in the DRC have to endure severe violence, inducing prevalent rape used as a weapon of war.

6. Yemen

Yet another country to make the list for gender-based violence due to an ongoing conflict, Yemen ranks poorly for women’s safety.

A humanitarian crisis worsened by the Saudi-led coalition has choked the Arab country, blocked both from the land and the sea by Saudi allies.

Cultural practices within the small, war-ravaged country has limited access to medical facilities, economic resources and educational opportunities for women.

Early marriage of girls as young as 8 is also a particular concern, with no protection from violence for the girls often married to men several decades older.

The combination of entrenched cultural practices and ongoing conflict has several restricted women’s rights for half of the Yemeni populace.

Safest country for women

On the other hand, Iceland has been recognised as the safest country to be a woman in 2024 by the Global Peace Index (GPI).

The European country is praised for its low crime rate and high gender equality. Icelandic women benefit from equal pay, a standard that even other developed countries, including the US, still struggle to achieve.

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The stark differences in safety across different countries highlight issues faced by women worldwide. While some countries are working to better the conditions for half of their entire populace, others require constant vigilance and intervention from the international community to provide a safe environment for women.