The 20 countries with the highest levels of gender-based violence in the world

Women are in a particularly vulnerable situation in the countries listed below.

Gender-based violence is a major global problem that takes the lives of thousands of people every year. And even in cases where it does not result in death, it can destroy a person physically and psychologically simply because he or she is born with specific genitalia.

This worrying phenomenon occurs as we have said at a global level, although there are certain geographical areas and countries in which, for various cultural reasons, it is more widespread.

This has generated multiple investigations and analyses, to the point that different classifications have been made according to different types of aggression and violence exercised against one sex (specifically women). Throughout this article let's take a brief look at the 20 countries with the most gender-based violence..

What is gender-based violence?

Before discussing the countries with the highest prevalence of gender-based violence, it is useful to provide a brief definition of the concept in question.

The name gender violence is given to 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 lies in the fact that the assaulted party is part of a particular gender or sex. That is to say, an aggression is produced towards a person simply because he or she has certain genitals. In most cases, this type of violence is exercised by the man against the woman, being derived from gender roles that have traditionally placed women in inferiority and submission to men..

Gender violence encompasses many different types of violence, including physical, psychological and sexual violence as the most common, but there are other types of violence such as social violence (limiting a person's contact with his or her environment) or property violence (destruction of his or her assets). Specific acts may include direct aggression, sexual abuse and aggression (including rape), public humiliation and humiliation (either directly or indirectly), threats and coercion.

The effects on the victim of such mistreatment can vary enormously. On a physical level, there can be a large number of injuries, hemorrhages, induced coma and even death. Psychologically, any of these types of abuse are usually experienced in a traumatic way, in addition to generating a decrease in self-esteem (which is the objective of many abusers), situations of dependence on the aggressor, anxiety and anguish. In some cases self-harming or suicidal ideas are produced, sometimes consummated. Also It is also common for the abuse to generate distortions at a cognitive level, underestimating the seriousness of the abuse.underestimating the seriousness of the situation or even, in extreme cases, to the point of blaming oneself and considering oneself deserving of the abuse.

The 20 countries with the highest level of gender-based violence

The following is a brief list of the 20 countries with the highest levels of gender violence, based on 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 simply the names of some of the countries with the highest levels of violence. the names of some of the countries with the highest levels of gender-based violence..

However, it should be borne in mind that the information used to find this out is not available in all countries of the world, and in some cases are estimates based on related data.

1. India

One of the countries that consistently ranks among those with the highest levels of gender-based violence is India, with sexual violence, exploitation and slavery being the most common type of violence (it is said that there are about a hundred sexual assaults per day). Genital mutilation, forced domestic work and arranged marriages from childhood are also common. Although the country is gradually beginning to react and to develop stricter laws to prevent it, a traditional mentality that relegates women to a position of inferiority is still in force, a traditional mentality that relegates women to a position of inferiority is still in force. This has led many women to suffer physical and sexual abuse and, in many cases, to be murdered.

2. Syria

Another of the countries that usually coincides in the first positions of countries with the highest level of gender violence and greater danger for women is Syria. Domestic violence and sexual violence occur in a very high proportion. In addition the situation after the advent of war has worsened considerably, with exploitation and sexual violenceThe situation after the advent of war has also worsened considerably, with the sexual exploitation and enslavement of women increasing to a great extent.

3. Afghanistan

Afghanistan is also one of the countries with the highest levels of gender-based violence, both physical, psychological and even sexual. It is estimated that about 9/10 women have suffered or will suffer from it at some time in their lives. It is also considered one of the most restrictive countries for women.

4. Somalia

Somalia is another of the countries with more gender violence, in which practices such as clitoris ablation and honor crimes stand out. Many women die or see their lives or freedom profoundly limited because of these practices. Rape is also common, even as a weapon of war to terrorize the region's citizens. Women's legal rights are minimal, although in the part of Somaliland in the Somaliland part of the country there are regulations that reduce sexual discrimination..

5. Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the countries where there is a higher level of sexual violence against women, specifically rape (sometimes also as a weapon of war). Both physical and psychological domestic violence are also common on a daily basis.

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 for almost everything on the permission of the male. Violence is exercised and, as in other countries, hidden by those who suffer it. In one of the studies carried out by the National Association of Human Rights, 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 facilitate the occurrence of gender violence, being among the top countries with the highest level of this type of violence. The legislation also fails to protect against a Wide range of abuses.

8. Nigeria

Another African country that is among those with the highest levels of gender-based violence, especially sexual violence, is Nigeria. In addition to this type of violence, they also suffer discrimination and difficulties in 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 mistreatment of women and a large number of deaths and mutilations (e.g. caused by acid). About 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. also against children with disabilities24% of these girls report having suffered abuse. Physical and psychological violence is also common.

11. Honduras

Honduras is the South American country with the highest number of deaths due to gender violence, and in fact, the UN considers Honduras to be one of the countries with the highest number of femicides (14.6/100,000) in the world without a current armed conflict (14.6/100,000).

12. Central African Republic

In this country, the insecurity caused by the recent wars has generated an increase in the possibility of suffering some type of violence, including sexual violence. In addition, most medical centers do not have the capacity to treat victims of violence. of violence.

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 due to this cause. Despite the existence of legislation that seeks to protect them, there is still a very conservative vision of gender roles..

14. Iraq

Another country where women's rights are lower and where gender-based violence is more likely to occur is Iraq. Levels of physical and sexual violence are high, especially in the aftermath of the relatively recent conflicts.

15. Mexico

Mexico is also one of the countries most marked by gender violence, with sexual abuse by the partner being common. Physical abuse is also common. In fact, in some 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 American countries with the highest level of gender violence is Venezuela, with almost 40% of women suffering this type of abuse..

17. Guatemala

Another South American country that holds the title of being one of the countries with the highest level of gender violence, as well as one of the countries with the highest level of femicide, 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 occurs mainly in the family and intimate partner context, but also in the workplace..

19. Finland

Although it is a country that stands out in many facets, including educational practices, the truth is that Finland is one of the European countries with the highest level of gender-based violence, with around 47% of women having suffered some type of violence because of their sex. Interestingly, 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 highest levels of gender-based violence may seem strange, but the truth is that some studies place this country at the top of the list in terms of risk of sexual harassment and violence. some studies place the United States among the top countries in terms of the risk of sexual harassment and violence, as well as psychological abuse.as well as psychological abuse.

Bibliographical references:

• Forsythe, D. P. (2008). Encyclopedia of Human Rights, Volume 1. Oxford University Press.
• Terry, G.; Hoare, J. (2007). Gender-Based Violence. Oxfam.