A survey conducted among global experts about the factors that make a country unsafe found India the most dangerous country for women in 2018, based on rankings. India ranked number one in the culture and religion, sexual violence and human trafficking categories. The country was perceived as most dangerous for women in terms of cultural, tribal and religious traditions or customary practices, in addition to the sexual violence. The latter included rape and forced labor, marriage and/or sexual slavery.
Violence against women
The majority of women in India, regardless of age group, do not feel safe being alone. Be it on the streets, in the markets or supermarkets or even at work or home. Going out alone after dark is usually ridden with fear of being sexually harassed or raped. In 2018, over 33 thousand rape cases were reported in India, while approximately one-third of all women in India claim to have experienced some form of sexual crime.
Marriage and women’s empowerment
The third millennium development goal, set to be fulfilled by 2015, was to ensure gender equality and empower women. Figures show, however, that this was far from fulfilled. The position of a woman in Indian society is determined by her marital status. If she is married, she is considered secure, settled and complete in society. For this reason, marriage below the legal in many social groups is not uncommon.
Respondents are global experts focused on women's issues including aid and development professionals, academics, health workers, policymakers, non-government organisation workers, journalists, and social commentators.
Method of interview
Face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews
Supplementary notes
Questions as framed by the source:
Healthcare: "In your view, what is the most dangerous country in the world for women in terms of health? This includes general health access to optometrists, dentists, general doctors and specialist doctors who have expertise knowledge in disabilities, diseases or dealing with trauma. When we talk about health, we are also referring to the lack of healthcare, maternal mortality, awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health including family planning, contraception and other general female health care."
Discrimination: "In your view, what is the most dangerous country in the world for women in terms of the lack of access to economic resources/discrimination? This includes job discrimination; an inability to make a livelihood; discriminatory land, property or inheritance rights; a lack of access to education and a lack of access to adequate nutrition."
Cultural traditions: "In your view, what is the most dangerous country in the world for women in terms of cultural, tribal and religious traditions or customary practices? This includes acid attacks, female genital mutilation, child marriage; forced marriage, stoning, physical abuse or mutilation as a form of punishment/retribution and female infanticide."
Sexual violence: "In your view, what is the most dangerous country in the world for women in terms of sexual violence? This includes rape as a weapon of war, domestic rape, rape by a stranger, the lack of access to justice in rape cases, sexual harassment and coercion into sex as a form of corruption."
Non-sexual violence: "In your view, what is the most dangerous country in the world for women in terms of non-sexual violence? This includes conflict-related violence, domestic, physical and mental abuse."
Human trafficking: "In your view, what is the most dangerous country in the world for women in terms of human trafficking? This includes domestic servitude, forced labor; bonded labor, forced marriage and sexual slavery."
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Thomson Reuters (Thomson Reuters Foundation). (June 26, 2018). Factors which make India the most dangerous country for women in 2018 (by ranking out of 10 where 1 is worst) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 20, 2024, from https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/909596/india-most-dangerous-country-for-women/
Thomson Reuters (Thomson Reuters Foundation). "Factors which make India the most dangerous country for women in 2018 (by ranking out of 10 where 1 is worst)." Chart. June 26, 2018. Statista. Accessed September 20, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/909596/india-most-dangerous-country-for-women/
Thomson Reuters (Thomson Reuters Foundation). (2018). Factors which make India the most dangerous country for women in 2018 (by ranking out of 10 where 1 is worst). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 20, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/909596/india-most-dangerous-country-for-women/
Thomson Reuters (Thomson Reuters Foundation). "Factors Which Make India The Most Dangerous Country for Women in 2018 (by Ranking out of 10 Where 1 Is Worst)." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Jun 2018, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/909596/india-most-dangerous-country-for-women/
Thomson Reuters (Thomson Reuters Foundation), Factors which make India the most dangerous country for women in 2018 (by ranking out of 10 where 1 is worst) Statista, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/909596/india-most-dangerous-country-for-women/ (last visited September 20, 2024)
Factors which make India the most dangerous country for women in 2018 (by ranking out of 10 where 1 is worst) [Graph], Thomson Reuters (Thomson Reuters Foundation), June 26, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/909596/india-most-dangerous-country-for-women/