Why India is the Most Dangerous Country For Women

Back in 2011, when the foundation conducted a similar survey, Afghanistan made the top of the list followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, India, and Somalia (in that order). Seven years later, they carried out another poll between March 26 and May 4, 2018 across five regions—South East Asia, South Asia, the Pacific, the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Things had definitely changed this time around. India was now at the very top.

The respondents of the poll included non-government organisation workers, aid and development professionals, health workers, academics, social commentators, journalists, and policymakers. They were contacted by phone, online and in-person, and were asked to name the five most dangerous countries for women from the 193 United Nation member states, across six categories:

1. Healthcare: Maternal mortality, lack of access to healthcare, awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS and other general concerns.

3. Cultural traditions/customary practices: Risk faced by women due to cultural, religious and tribal traditions such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, acid attacks, physical abuse, stoning, female infanticide and forced marriage.

4. Sexual violence: Domestic rape, rape as a weapon of war, sexual harassment, lack of access to justice in rape cases and rape by a stranger.

5. Non-sexual violence: Mental, domestic and physical abuse and conflict-related violence.

6. Human trafficking: Sexual slavery, domestic servitude, bonded and forced labour and forced marriage.

Each country received a score based on the number of times it was given as an answer and the final rankings were determined by an average.

The foundation said, “World leaders vowed three years ago to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls by 2030, allowing them to live freely and safely to participate equally in political, economic and public life. But despite this pledge, it is estimated that one in three women globally experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime.”

According to the results, India ranked first for customary practices, sexual violence and human trafficking, third in discrimination and non-violence categories and fourth in healthcare. “There was an outcry in India after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, so you would have thought things would have improved. But that does not seem to be the case even though new laws have been introduced and more women are reporting sexual crimes”, said Monique Villa, the CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation, according to The Times of India.

The list below shows the top 10 places considered dangerous for women:

1. India

2. Afghanistan

3. Syria

4. Somalia

5. Saudi Arabia

6. Pakistan

7. Democratic Republic of Congo

8. Yemen

9. Nigeria

10. USA (because of the #MeToo uprising)

However, not everyone was in agreement with the results.

Others, however, still believe that things haven’t changed or improved for women.

The Indian government has taken several measures to tackle crimes against women. These include installing CCTVs and GPS in public service vehicles, shelter homes for destitute women, helpline services, initiating Awaz Uthao Abhiyan to conduct safety audits and help victims of sexual abuse and introducing All-Women Cops Squad to the streets of Jaipur.

Moreover, the government has strengthened its laws to make the country safer for women. India’s cabinet passed a new ordinance in April 2018 which stated ‘death penalty for rapists of girls under 12 years’. It has also called for rape cases to be investigated within two months and for trails to be concluded within the same period. Many fast-track courts have been set up for this very reason.

Along with the government, many organisations and individuals have joined hands to make India a better place for women.

– Breakthrough India is an NGO and community organisation that is working to end violence against women.

– The Red Brigade is an NGO in Lucknow teaching women to fight against sexual violence through self-defense education.

– Sayfty educates women on how to protect themselves against any form of violence.

– Priya’s Shakti is India’s first feminist superhero comic book that is fighting against rape and gender inequality in India. It has shown how a rape victim turns into a superhero.

– Kolkata based artist, Sujatro Ghosh ran the Holy Cow Campaign to address the inequality faced by women in India, by comparing them to the cow.

If you’re travelling to India, here are some of the best safety apps for women and tips to keep in mind.