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The 20 countries with the most gender violence in the world

The 20 countries with the most gender violence in the world

March 29, 2024

Gender violence is a major problem worldwide that every year takes the lives of thousands of people. And even in cases where death is not caused, it can destroy the person physically and psychically 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 geographical areas and countries where, for various cultural reasons, it is more widespread.

This has generated multiple investigations and analyzes, to the point of having made different classifications in terms of different types of aggression and violence against one sex (specifically women). Throughout this article let's briefly see the 20 countries with the most gender violence .


  • Related article: "The 7 types of gender violence (and characteristics)"

What is gender violence?

Before going on to talk about the countries in which there is a higher prevalence of gender violence, it is necessary to make a small definition of the concept in question.

It receives the name of violence of gender all that act (or absence / denial of this) carried out of voluntary and proactive way on the part of a person with the aim of generating damage or suffering to another, and whose origin or motivation is in fact that the aggrieved party is part of a specific gender or sex. That is to say, an aggression towards a person takes place for the simple fact that this one has 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). Concrete acts may include, among other direct aggressions, sexual abuse and aggression (including rape), public humiliation and humiliation (whether live or indirect), threats and coercion.

The effects for the victim of these abuses can vary enormously. At the physical level, a large number of injuries, hemorrhages, induce coma and even death can occur. Psychologically any of these types of abuse are usually experienced traumatically, in addition to being able to generate a decrease in the level of self-esteem (something that on the other hand is the goal of many abusers), situations of dependency towards the aggressor, anxiety and anguish. In some cases suicidal or suicidal ideas are produced, sometimes consummated. As well it is common for abuse to generate distortions at a cognitive level , underestimating the seriousness of the situation or even in extreme cases to the level of self-blame and considered worthy of abuse.


  • Maybe you're interested: "Gaslighting: the most subtle emotional abuse"

The 20 countries with the highest level of gender violence

Below we indicate a brief list of the 20 countries with more gender violence, based on the data provided by different studies conducted by different agencies. The majority of these are countries located in the southeastern part of the Mediterranean and in Africa, although we will also introduce examples from America and Europe. It is not a ranking, but simply we will see the names of some of the countries where the highest level of gender violence occurs .

Of course, we must bear in mind that the information used to know this 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 figure among the highest level of gender violence is India, with violence, exploitation and sexual slavery being the most common type of violence (there are a hundred sexual assaults per day). It is also common for genital mutilation, forced domestic work and arranged marriage since childhood. Although little by little the country begins to react and to elaborate more severe laws to avoid it, a traditional mentality that relegates women to an inferior position continues which has caused many to suffer physical and sexual abuse and in many cases be killed.

2. Syria

Another country that usually coincides in the top positions of countries with the highest level of gender violence and the greatest danger to women is Syria.Domestic violence and sexual violence occur in a very high proportion. further the situation after the arrival of the war has worsened considerably , greatly increasing the exploitation and sexual slavery of women.

3. Afghanistan

Afghanistan is also one of the countries where there is a higher level of gender violence, both physically and mentally and even sexually. It is estimated that around 9/10 women have suffered or will suffer throughout their lives on occasion. 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 ablation of the clitoris and honor crimes stand out. Many women die or see their life or freedom deeply limited because of these practices. Rapes are also common, even as a weapon of war to frighten the citizens of the region. The legal rights of women are minimal, although in the part of Somaliland there are regulations that reduce sexual discrimination .

5. Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the countries where there is a higher 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, are 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 fact is that Saudi Arabia is still considered one of the most repressive countries, there are no laws against gender violence and depending on almost everything of the permission of the man. Violence is exercised and, like in other countries, hidden by those who suffer it. In one of the studies conducted by the National Association for Human Rights, it was concluded that around 93% of women in this country had suffered some type of aggression from their partner .

7. Yemen

The bad consideration of the figure of women in this country makes Yemen one of those that facilitate the emergence of gender violence, being among the first positions in countries with the highest level of this type of violence. Nor does the legislation offer protection against the practice of a wide variety of abuses.

8. Nigeria

Another African country that is among those who endure higher levels of gender violence, especially on a sexual level, 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, there is a high level of mistreatment towards women and there are many deaths and mutilations (for example, those 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 also against children who have disabilities : 24% of these girls report having suffered abuse. Physical and psychological violence is also common.

11. Honduras

Honduras is the country in South America that accounts for the most deaths due to gender violence, and in fact the UN is considered one of the countries without war conflict with the most femicides (14.6 / 100,000) in the world.

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. further most medical centers do not have the capacity to treat victims this.

13. Argentina

One of the countries in South America with the highest level of gender violence, the records show a large number of killings 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 in which the rights of women are minor and where gender violence is easier to appear is Iraq. The levels of physical and sexual violence are high, especially after the relatively recent wars.

15. Mexico

Also in Mexico, we find one of the countries most marked by gender-based violence, and it is common to suffer sexual abuse by the couple. So is physical abuse. In fact in some areas this type of violence is socially accepted . More than 23,000 women have been killed in the past 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 with the highest level of gender violence, in addition to 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 from some type of violence. Is occurs mainly in the family context and as a couple, 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 with the highest level of gender violence, with women accounting for around 47% who have suffered some type of violence because of their sex. Curiously, it is also one of the countries that spends the most in developing protection policies and one of the least sexist manifested.

20. United States

Probably the inclusion of the United States within the countries with the most gender violence may seem strange, but the truth is that some studies put this country in one of the first positions in relation to the risk of sexual harassment and violence , as well as in regards to psychological abuse.

Bibliographic references:

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

10 Worst Countries To Be Born A Woman (March 2024).


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