The 20 Countries With The Most Gender Violence In The World
Gender violence is a major global problem that takes the lives of thousands of people every year. And even in cases where death is not caused, it can destroy the person on a physical and mental level by the simple fact of being born with specific genitals.
This worrying phenomenon occurs, as we have said, at a global level, although there are certain geographic areas and countries in which, for various cultural reasons, it is more widespread.
This has generated multiple investigations and analyses, to the point of having made different classifications based on various types of aggression and violence exerted against a sex (specifically women). Throughout this article Let’s briefly look at the 20 countries with the most gender violence
Before talking about the countries in which there is a higher prevalence of gender violence, it is advisable to make a brief definition of the concept in question.
Gender violence is any act (or absence/denial thereof) carried out voluntarily and purposefully by a person with the aim of causing harm or suffering to another, and whose origin or motivation is found in the act. that the attacked party is part of a specific gender or sex. That is, aggression occurs against a person simply because they have certain genitals. In most cases, this type of violence is exercised by the man towards the woman, being derived from gender roles that have traditionally placed women in inferiority and submission to men
Gender violence encompasses very diverse types of violence, including physical, psychological and sexual violence as the most common, but there are other types of violence such as social violence (limitation of the person’s contact with their environment) or patrimonial violence (destruction of their heritage). Specific acts may include, among others, direct attacks, abuse and sexual assault (including rape), public humiliation and humiliation (whether directly or indirectly), threats and coercion.
The effects for the victim of this abuse can vary greatly. On a physical level, a large number of injuries, hemorrhages, coma and even death can occur. Psychologically, any of these types of abuse are usually experienced in a traumatic way, in addition to being able to generate a decrease in the level of self-esteem (something that is the objective of many abusers), situations of dependency towards the aggressor, anxiety and anguish. In some cases, self-harming or suicidal ideas occur, sometimes completed. Also It is common for abuse to generate cognitive distortions undervaluing the seriousness of the situation or even in extreme cases to the level of blaming herself and considering herself deserving of the abuse.
The 20 countries with the highest level of gender violence
Below we indicate a brief list of the 20 countries with the most gender violence, based on the data provided by different studies carried out by different agencies. Most of them are countries located in the Southeastern part of the Mediterranean and in Africa, although we will also introduce examples from America and Europe. This is not a ranking, but we will simply see the names of some of the countries in which the highest level of gender violence occurs
Of course, it must be taken into account that the information used to know this is not available in all countries in the world, and in some cases they are estimates based on related data.
1. India
One of the countries that consistently appears among those with the highest level of gender violence is India, with violence, exploitation and sexual slavery being the most common type of violence (there are about a hundred sexual assaults daily). Genital mutilation, forced domestic work and arranged marriages from childhood are also common. Although little by little the country begins to react and develop more severe laws to avoid it, A traditional mentality that relegates women to a position of inferiority is still in force which has caused many to suffer physical and sexual abuse and in many cases to be murdered.
2. Syria
Another of the countries that usually coincides in the top positions of countries with the highest level of gender violence and greatest danger for women is Syria. Domestic violence and sexual violence occur in a very high proportion. Besides The situation after the arrival of the war has worsened considerably greatly increasing the sexual exploitation and slavery of women.
3. Afghanistan
Afghanistan is also one of the countries where there is a highest level of gender violence, both physically, psychologically and even sexually. It is estimated that around 9/10 women have suffered from it or will suffer from it at some point in their lives. It is also considered one of the most restrictive countries for women.
4. Somalia
Somalia is another of the countries with the most gender violence, in which practices such as clitoral excision and honor crimes stand out. Many women die or see their lives or freedom severely limited because of these practices. Rape is also common, even as a weapon of war to terrorize the citizens of the region. Women’s legal rights are minimal, although In the Somaliland part there are regulations that reduce sexual discrimination
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the countries in which there is a highest level of sexual violence against women, specifically at the level of rape (sometimes also as a weapon of war). Domestic violence, both physical and mental, is also common in everyday life.
6. Saudi Arabia
Although little by little it seems that the situation is beginning to improve for women in this country, the truth is that Saudi Arabia is still considered one of the most repressive countries, with no laws against gender violence and depending on almost everything of the man’s permission. Violence is carried out and, like in other countries, hidden by those who suffer it. In one of the studies carried out by the National Human Rights Association, it was concluded that around 93% of women in this country had suffered some type of aggression by their partner
7. Yemen
The poor consideration of the figure of women in this country makes Yemen one of the countries that most facilitates the appearance of gender violence, being among the top countries with the highest level of this type of violence. The legislation also does not offer protection against the practice of a wide variety of abuses.
8. Nigeria
Another African country that is among those that endure the highest levels of gender violence, especially at a sexual level, is Nigeria. In addition to this type of violence, They also suffer discrimination and difficulties when obtaining basic services
9. Pakistan
In Pakistan, the situation of women is also one of the most complicated in the world, with a high level of abuse towards women and a large number of deaths and mutilations (for example those caused by acid). Around 95% of women suffer abuse.
10. Uganda
In this country, some studies have observed the presence of gender and sexual violence not only against adult women but also against children with disabilities: 24% of these girls indicate having suffered abuse. Physical and psychological violence is also common.
11. Honduras
Honduras is the country in South America with the most deaths due to gender violence, and in fact the UN is considered one of the countries without a current war with the most femicides (14.6/100,000) in the world.
In this country, the insecurity caused by recent wars has generated an increase in the possibility of suffering some type of violence, including sexual violence. Besides most medical centers do not have the capacity to treat victims this.
13. Argentina
One of the South American countries with the highest level of gender violence, records show a large number of murders and deaths of women resulting from this cause. Although there are laws that seek their protection, There is still a very conservative view of gender roles
14. Iraq
Another country where women’s rights are lower and where gender violence occurs more easily is Iraq. The levels of physical and sexual violence are high, especially after the relatively recent war conflicts.
15. Mexico
Also in Mexico we find one of the countries most marked by gender violence, with sexual abuse by partners being common. So is physical abuse. In fact In some areas this type of violence is socially accepted More than 23,000 women have been murdered in the last 10 years.
16. Venezuela
One of the Latin countries with the highest level of gender violence is Venezuela, with almost 40% of women suffering this type of abuse
17. Guatemala
Another of the South American countries that holds the title of being one of those that suffer the highest level of gender violence, as well as one of the countries with the highest level of feminicide, is Guatemala.
18. Denmark
Denmark is the European country with the highest level of abuse and gender violence, with almost 48% of the female population suffering some type of violence. This It occurs mainly in the family and couple context, but also in the workplace
19. Finland
Although it is a country that stands out in a large number of facets including educational practices, the truth is that Finland is one of the European countries that suffers the highest level of gender violence, with around 47% being women. who have suffered some type of violence because of their sex. Curiously, it is also one of the countries that spends the most on developing protection policies and one of the least sexist.
20. United States
The inclusion of the United States among the countries with the greatest gender violence may probably seem strange, but the truth is that Some studies put this country in one of the first places in terms of the risk of suffering sexual harassment and violence as well as with regard to psychological abuse.
