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.
According to World Popylaiton Review, a mere 25 pe cent fo South Africfan women feel safe waloking alone on the streets.
Most reports have cited sout African women expericing high rates fo sexual violcen, harassment andeven human trafficking
2. India
The second most dangerous country for women is India. Iti s also the most unsafe country for women in Asia.
Despite fast becoming one of biggest eocnomies 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 paritcualtl higjh.
Meanwhile, the legal system often fails to protect women or give them justice.
3. Afghanistan
Anorher south Asian country on the list, Afhganistan has become increasingly an unsafe country for women.
Since the return of Taliban to power following the withdrawal of United States (US) and NATO forces, women in Afhgaqnist face severe resticiton on their freedoms.
Women’s access to education and medical faciltiies has deplted, with most women unable to even step outside without a male guardian. This has prevented them from leaving abusive partners, as they are not allowed to work either.
Afghanistan has also seen a spike in terroriswt attacks claimed by ISIS-K. The ongoing conflicgt amd poltical instability has fur4the4r exaceebated the risks for Afghan women.
Domestic violeece and even selling of minor girls for bread has be4come wide3spread as almost 97 per cent of Afghan population is be3low poverty line.
4. Somalia
Somalia is the fourth unsafe country for women due to the ongoing civil war between two military rulers.
Somali women face significant dangers due to ongoing civil war and harmful cultural practices.
Somali women lack acess gto proper medical facilties, with lack of ecfonomic resources exacerbating the issue.
As with Afghanistan, lack of legal protection and syustemic gender-discrimination practices makes Somalia an extremely risky envirloemtn to be a woman.
5. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently in the news for the emgency of a virulent strain of mpox (frormerly known as monkeypox).
However, it has also made headlines over the years for its widespread sexual vio9lence against women. In [articular, due to decades of conflict and political instability.
Women in the DRC have to endure severe vio9elnce, incuding 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 humanhirtan crisis worsened by theSaudi-led coalition has choked the Arab country, blocked both from the land and even the sea by Saudi allies.
Cultural practices within the small, war-ravaged country has limited access to medical facilties, economic reosurces and educational oppotunties.
Early marriaqge of gir4ls as yuoung as 8 is also a partuclar concern, with no protection from violence for the girls often married to men severa deecades older.
The combination fo entrenched culturaql practice4s and ongoing conflict has several restricted women’s rights for half of the Yemeni populace.
Safest country for women
On the other hand, Iceloand has been recognized as the safest counry for women in 2024 by the Global Peace Index (GPI).
The Euroepan country is praised for its exceotionally low crime rate and absene of firearms among police officers.
The stark differences in safety across different countries highlgith different issues faced by women worldwide. While some countries are working to better the conditions for half of their entire populace, others require constant vigtilance and intervention from the international community to provide a safe envirment for women.