Well Done, India. We Are The Most Dangerous Country For Women

It’s another day, and for India it’s another feather in the cap. India now has the dubious distinction of being the ‘most dangerous country for women in the world’. This is because of the high risk of sexual violence and being forced into slave labour.

Isn’t that just wonderful? Afghanistan, a country with strife, war and Taliban-ruled areas is in second place. Syria, another country ravaged by war is in third place. Saudi Arabia, which gave rights to women to drive just yesterday is in 5th place. Let that sink in. USA also featured in the list, at joint third place.

Here’s what should really be like a punch in the gut. This poll was a repeat of the 2011 survey. India ranked 5th in that. In the interim period, nothing changed. We did nothing to fix it or to make it better. And it got worse.

The survey by Thomson Reuters Foundation asked respondents which five of the 193 United Nations member states they thought were most dangerous for women, and which country was worst in terms of healthcare, economic resources, cultural or traditional practices, sexual violence and harassment, non-sexual violence and human trafficking.

There are countries with serious human rights violations that rank below us. I am struggling to say something. Anything. Anything that will make us look marginally better, something about representation of women, but I am drawing a blank.

It’s time now that we really think about how we are being perceived. Because this isn’t just a social implication, this could affect business, tourism, travel and auxiliary industries. Is anyone listening? Obviously not.