According to a CNN report, which was culled from a Thomson Reuters Foundation survey, India is the most dangerous country for women.
The top most dangerous countries are listed as follows: India, Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Nigeria (listed as the 9th most dangerous country), with the United States coming in 10th place. This survey was conducted by 550 experts on women’s issues. The criteria for the ranking include human trafficking, forced labour, forced marriage, and sexual slavery.
India ranked fourth in this same survey just 7 years ago, but now they are at the top of the list. Tagged the most dangerous country in the world for cultural traditions that impact women, the survey found, that India has the most incidents of acid attacks, female genital mutilation, child marriage and physical abuse. The release of the report comes amidst mounting public outrage in India, over a series of high-profile rape cases, including two unrelated attacks on girls aged 16 and eight. This has forced the issue of sexual violence back onto the national agenda.
In April, thousands of protesters took to the streets to demand better protection for women, in some of the largest mass demonstrations held in the country since the rape and murder of a female college student in Delhi in 2012.
In the months following the 2012 case, the central government passed stricter legislation designed to reduce the incidents of rape and sexual abuse. They increased penalties for sexual assault, rape, and sexual abuse, while extending prison sentences and introducing the death penalty.
But despite these efforts, around 100 sexual assaults are reported to police in the country every day, with nearly 39,000 alleged attacks reported in 2016, an increase of 12% from the previous year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau,
“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,” the foundation stated.
“Child marriage is still rife, with almost 750 million women and girls married before their 18th birthday, resulting in teen pregnancies that can put their health at risk and limiting schooling and opportunities.”
That India has moved to the top of the list shows not enough was being done to protect the rights of women, argue experts.
“India has shown utter disregard and disrespect for women … rape, marital rapes, sexual assault and harassment, female infanticide has gone unabated,” Manjunath Gangadhara, an official at the Karnataka state government in southwest India, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
“The (world’s) fastest growing economy and leader in space and technology is shamed for violence committed against women,” added Gangadhara.
The issue of sexual violence has put a dent on India’s image no doubt. But let’s not forget that the fact that Nigeria ranks 9th on that list is a huge cause for concern. What are we doing to protect the girl child? How are we protecting our women?
Photo Credit: Mihaela Noroc
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