Global gender equality shows shocking disparities when we look at the most dangerous countries for women in 2025. Denmark leads with the highest ranking, while Afghanistan remains at the absolute bottom of the Women Peace and Security Index (WPS Index). This index scores and ranks 181 countries based on women's wellbeing.
A troubling reality faces us today - women's rights progress has stalled worldwide. The situation becomes especially dire in countries with the worst women's rights records. Afghanistan, Yemen, and the Central African Republic sit at the bottom of the Index. Afghanistan scored a devastatingly low 0.286. Pakistan's situation mirrors these concerns, as it ranked among the ten lowest countries on the Gender Development Index in 2023. The numbers paint a grim picture - about 600 million women, 15% of the world's female population, lived within 50 kilometers of armed conflict in 2022.
The gap between safe and unsafe countries for women reveals stark differences. Denmark, Switzerland, and Sweden lead with scores above 0.9, yet women face overwhelming challenges in the world's most dangerous nations. Afghanistan's women face rampant gender-based violence. More than 80% cannot read or write, and many lose their lives during childbirth. The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks 174 out of 177 countries, where half of all women over 15 have experienced physical violence.
This piece will get into the ten most dangerous countries for women based on recent data. We'll learn about their specific challenges and current efforts to address these critical human rights problems.
Afghanistan
Image Source: Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Afghanistan ranks at the bottom of global rankings as the worst country to be a woman in 2025. The latest WPS Index places Afghanistan at 181st out of 181 countries with a devastating score of 0.279. The country shows declining numbers in multiple areas, leaving women with no practical rights.
Afghanistan WPS Index Ranking
The country's score remains nowhere near Denmark's top position. Recent data paints a grim picture. Women now spend only 1.2 years in school on average, down from 2.3 in 2023. Their sense of safety in communities has plummeted from 39% to just 25%.
Key Challenges for Women in Afghanistan
The Taliban's return to power has brought unprecedented restrictions on women. Female employment dropped 25% by late 2022. Mental health statistics tell a heartbreaking story - 68% of Afghan women report poor mental health conditions, and 8% know someone who has attempted suicide. The community's decision-making process excludes 98% of women who feel they have little to no voice.
Legal and Social Context in Afghanistan
The Taliban's "vice and virtue law" of 2024 officially banned women's voices in public spaces. Women once held 25% of Parliament seats - now they hold none. Their household influence has decreased by 60%. The education ban's impact will be severe by 2026, with early childbearing expected to rise by 45% and maternal deaths by 50%.
NGO and Government Interventions in Afghanistan
Hope remains through organizations that fight for women's rights. UN Women runs the "Rebuilding the Women's Movement" program, which works with 113 organizations in 19 provinces and helps 515 women earn income. Women for Afghan Women offers protection and humanitarian support. WPHF continues to support civil society groups and women human rights defenders.
Yemen
Image Source: Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Yemen ranks as the second-worst country worldwide for women's rights and remains one of the most dangerous countries for women in 2025. The country's dire situation shows deep-rooted problems made worse by years of devastating conflict.
Yemen WPS Index Ranking
The country sits at 180th place out of 181 nations with a poor score of 0.323. Some numbers show small improvements - cellphone usage went up from 38% to 52% and deaths during childbirth dropped from 183 to 118 per 100,000 births. The situation stays critical. Women living in conflict zones decreased from 88.7% to 71.3%, but this number still represents most of Yemen's women.
Key Challenges for Women in Yemen
Violence against women has exploded with a 63% increase since the conflict started. The current situation shows:
Three million women and girls could face gender-based violence
Six million women can't get basic reproductive healthcare
Child marriages have tripled in just four years
Legal and Social Context in Yemen
Yemen's patriarchal society sees men as "protectors," which leaves women alone vulnerable to violence. Armed groups at checkpoints stop women from traveling between regions without male guardians. A brutal practice involves shaving new brides' heads at these checkpoints, which often leads to divorce and mental trauma.
NGO and Government Interventions in Yemen
The help available falls short - just 0.12% of humanitarian aid goes toward stopping gender-based violence. All the same, groups like IRC run women's centers and mobile health clinics. Yemen created its National Action Plan in 2019 to help protect women affected by conflict and increase their participation in peace efforts.
Central African Republic
Image Source: Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
The Central African Republic ranks as the third most dangerous country for women worldwide. Ongoing conflicts and poverty create a vicious cycle that makes gender inequality worse and brings huge challenges to women's lives.
Central African Republic WPS Index Ranking
CAR ranks 179th out of 181 countries with a troubling 0.362 score on the WPS Index. Women's financial inclusion shows some hope with an increase from 0.251 to 0.4. However, the situation looks worse in other areas. Women's representation in parliament dropped from 12.9% in 2023 to 11.4% in 2025.
Key Challenges for Women in Central African Republic
Violence against women has reached crisis levels in CAR. About 20.9% of women between 15-49 years old report physical or sexual violence from their partners within a year. The problem has grown by a lot. The first four months of 2023 saw 5,928 GBV cases, following 23,644 cases in 2022 - a shocking 104% jump from 2021. Child marriage remains common, with 61% of women aged 20-24 married before 18.
Legal and Social Context in Central African Republic
CAR's legal system fails to protect women adequately. The country scores just 52.5 out of 100 on laws affecting women - below both global (64.2) and regional (57.4) averages. Support systems score even lower at 13.3 out of 100. Safety measures rank among the lowest due to missing laws on domestic violence, femicide, and sexual harassment.
NGO and Government Interventions in Central African Republic
UN Women leads peace and security efforts through its 2023-2027 Strategic Note. INTERSOS runs projects that help gender-based violence survivors with complete support. The government's Ministry for the Promotion of Women created a second National Action Plan that focuses on women's role in decision-making and peace processes.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Image Source: Monusco
The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains a hotspot of gender inequality, even with its abundant natural resources. Armed conflict spanning decades has increased the suffering of its female population.
Democratic Republic of the Congo WPS Index Ranking
The DRC ranks 175th out of 181 countries with a troubling score of 0.405. We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress. The country's financial inclusion score jumped from 0.345 to 0.613, and women living near conflict dropped from 547.4 to 427 per 100,000. Women hold just 13.5% of parliamentary seats, showing their ongoing political marginalization.
Key Challenges for Women in DRC
Sexual violence has reached epidemic levels, with reported cases growing five times higher in just one year. Armed groups use rape as a weapon of war, targeting women across all age groups, from teenagers to elderly. The situation looks even grimmer:
Domestic violence affects 52% of Congolese women
Maternal deaths stand at 427 per 100,000 births
Internal displacement affects 7.2 million people, including 860,000 women of reproductive age
Legal and Social Context in DRC
The constitution guarantees equality through articles 5, 14, and 15, but real-life conditions tell a different story. Women hold only 7.2% of high-level decision-making positions. Women's access to justice faces severe limitations due to geographic isolation. Some provinces require women to travel hundreds of miles to reach courts. Economic hurdles, corruption, and widespread illiteracy make legal help hard to get.
NGO and Government Interventions in DRC
The DRC adopted its National Action Plan in 2018 to focus on inclusion, prevention, protection, and recovery. UN Women works with the Ministry of Gender to implement this plan. They set up multi-donor trust funds and support conflict resolution programs. Local groups like Afia Mama team up with law firms to offer private legal help to survivors. This approach reduces stigma and leads to better legal outcomes.
Syria
Image Source: Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Syria's devastating conflict over the last decade has made it one of the most dangerous countries for women in the world.
Syria WPS Index Ranking
Syria stands at 178th position among 181 countries on the WPS Index, scoring 0.364. Some indicators show slight progress - women's average years of schooling rose from 4.6 in 2023 to 5.1 in 2025. Maternal mortality rates dropped from 29.9 to 20 per 100,000 live births. The numbers remain concerning as women's representation in parliament declined from 10.8% to 9.6%.
Key Challenges for Women in Syria
Violence against women has reached alarming levels in Syria. Reports show 19% of women face intimate partner violence, while documented cases of sexual violence exceed 11,583. Syrian women and girls make up 74% of the 6 million people who need nutritional support. Households led by women struggle twice as much as male-headed households to meet daily needs.
Legal and Social Context in Syria
Discriminatory laws spread through Syrian society deeply. Women's ownership of residential property remains between 2-5%. Financial hardship and risks of sexual violence have led to a sharp rise in early marriages. Women living under extremist-controlled areas must have male guardians to access public spaces.
NGO and Government Interventions in Syria
Organizations actively support Syrian women through various programs. UNDP offers skills development and training, while UN Women focuses on protection and strengthening women's position. Women-led organizations play a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid to marginalized communities, though they face safety risks and funding constraints.
Iraq
Image Source: Atlas & Boots
Conflict has created a troubling legacy for women in Iraq. The country ranks among the worst countries for women's rights in the Middle East region.
Iraq WPS Index Ranking
The country stands at 158th position out of 181 countries, scoring 0.51 on the WPS Index. Several indicators reveal mixed progress. Intimate partner violence saw a significant drop from 45.3% to 15.1%. Women's perception of community safety declined from 72% to 67%. The percentage of women living near conflict areas decreased from 83.5% to 56.8%, which shows security conditions are improving gradually.
Key Challenges for Women in Iraq
Iraqi women continue to face significant obstacles in their daily lives:
The country's female labor force participation rate remains at 11%, one of the lowest in the Middle East
Widows lead 80% of the female-headed households, which make up 10% of Iraqi households
Child marriage continues to be a serious concern—5% of married women are under 15, while 21% are under 18
A mere 4% of men support their wives working past 5 p.m. or in mixed-gender workplaces
Legal and Social Context in Iraq
The amended Personal Status Law, effective February 2025, creates distinct legal systems for different sects. This law validates unregistered marriages and creates pathways that allow child marriage. Women hold a 25% quota in Parliament, resulting in 84 seats out of 329 (5.25%).
NGO and Government Interventions in Iraq
UN Women focuses on increasing political participation, economic opportunities, and eliminating violence against women. The organization also advances the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Baghdad Women Association provides cybersecurity training, while the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq runs multiple shelters that protect domestic violence survivors.
Pakistan
Image Source: The Indian Express
Pakistan's deeply rooted patriarchal society perpetuates systemic gender discrimination. The country ranks among the most dangerous countries for women in 2025.
Pakistan WPS Index Ranking
The country sits at 169th position out of 181 nations with a troubling score of 0.462. Recent years show declining metrics since 2023. Women's financial inclusion numbers fell from 32 to 28. The intimate partner violence score deteriorated from 20.1% to 17.4%.
Key Challenges for Women in Pakistan
Gender inequality touches almost every aspect of Pakistani women's lives:
School attendance shows a stark gap - 26% of girls never attend school compared to 19% of boys
Only 13% of women hold bank accounts while 28% of men have them
Women's workforce participation remains at 21%, nowhere near the global average of 39%
Female graduates struggle with unemployment rates 3.8 times higher than their male counterparts
Women earn substantially less with median monthly wages of Rs 12,000 compared to men's Rs 18,900
Legal and Social Context in Pakistan
Pakistani women stand at 145th position out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report. The legal system discriminates against women in marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance matters. Islamic family courts grant mothers physical custody but withhold legal custody of children. Women inherit only half the share of their male relatives.
NGO and Government Interventions in Pakistan
The government has created pro-women legislation and started the Benazir Income Support Program that helps 8.7 million women. Organizations like Shirkat Gah promote gender equality from community level to policy making. UN agencies work to strengthen marginalized women through policy frameworks and local initiatives.
Niger
Image Source: Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Niger has the world's highest rate of child marriages, showing a devastating reality where societal norms trap girls in cycles of inequality and exploitation.
Niger WPS Index Ranking
Niger stands at 163rd position among 181 countries with a score of 0.492. The country's indicators have deteriorated since 2023. Women's mean years of schooling dropped from 1.7 to 1, while their employment showed an unexpected rise from 17.4% to 79%. Women's parliamentary representation declined to 19.6% from 30.7%. The community safety perception improved as numbers rose from 56% to 63%.
Key Challenges for Women in Niger
Child marriage dominates as the biggest challenge, with 76% of women aged 20-24 getting married before turning 18. Girls typically marry at 15.7 years while boys marry at 24.6 years. This age gap makes education almost impossible, leaving 61.4% of girls aged 10-14 without any schooling. The situation becomes more complex with these factors:
18.6% of girls aged 15-19 live in polygamous marriages
60% of adolescent girls and women face violence during their lifetime
Adolescent birth rate reaches 150.3 per 1,000 women aged 15-19
Legal and Social Context in Niger
The legal marriage age stands at 21, but religious pressure groups continue to resist protective legislation. Marriage serves as an economic survival strategy because social protection systems do not exist. Recent changes to the quota law aim to boost women's representation in elected positions from 15% to 25%.
NGO and Government Interventions in Niger
Child protection committees emerged in 2019 to address these challenges. The government launched the National Strategic Plan to End Child Marriage and implemented the 2017 decree that protects girls in school. The World Bank supports 50 Child Protection Committees in regions of all sizes.
Somalia
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Somalia stands as one of the most dangerous countries for women in the world today. The grim reality stems from decades of overlapping crises that continue to affect women's lives.
Somalia WPS Index Ranking
The country's troubling score of 0.455 places it at 170th out of 181 countries. Women's sense of safety in their communities has declined from 52% to 45.2%. Despite these challenges, small improvements have emerged in other areas. The nation struggles with challenges that span economic inclusion, justice, and security.
Key Challenges for Women in Somalia
Somalia's maternal mortality rate reveals a broken healthcare system with 692 deaths per 100,000 live births. This makes it the country with the sixth-highest maternal mortality rate worldwide. The nation leads globally in female genital mutilation, affecting 99.2% of women aged 15-49. Child marriage remains a serious concern - 35.5% of women aged 20-24 married before reaching 18, while 16.7% married before 15. Women shoulder three major burdens during crises: keeping their families alive, providing care, and protecting themselves from sexual violence.
Legal and Social Context in Somalia
Women's parliamentary representation has actually decreased to 20% in the House of the People, down from 24% in 2016, despite promises of a 30% quota. A positive change came in November 2024 when the Electoral Law formally guaranteed the 30% women's quota. The UNDP Gender Inequality Index ranks Somalia fourth from last with a score of 0.776. The country's deeply rooted patriarchal culture confines women's roles largely to home and family.
NGO and Government Interventions in Somalia
UN Women has created a Strategic Note 2022-2025 that charts the path toward gender equality. CARE provides vital emergency ambulance services that help rural women access maternity care. The UNDP's efforts have equipped over 1,200 women in government with disaster risk reduction skills. These initiatives particularly help households led by women build resilience against climate-related challenges.
South Sudan
Image Source: Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, ranks among the most dangerous countries for women worldwide due to extraordinary challenges its female population faces.
South Sudan WPS Index Ranking
The country stands at 173rd position out of 181 countries with a troubling score of 0.411. Several indicators remain concerning, though some show slight improvements. The maternal mortality rate dropped from 1,223 to 692 per 100,000 live births. The percentage of women living near conflict zones decreased from 79.7% to 42.2%. Political violence against women also saw a reduction from 1.180 to 0.5 per 100,000.
Key Challenges for Women in South Sudan
Women face severe barriers in their daily lives:
The country reports some of the world's highest rates of sexual and gender-based violence
Extreme poverty affects 80% of the population, with women bearing the heaviest burden
Recent data shows 26.7% of women suffered intimate partner violence
The female literacy rate stands at a mere 8%, possibly the world's lowest
More than 4 million South Sudanese people live as displaced persons, mostly women and girls
Legal and Social Context in South Sudan
Discriminatory laws restrict women from inheriting land, running businesses, or taking leadership roles in public affairs. South Sudan lags behind its neighbors without domestic violence laws. The peace agreement requires 35% female representation in government institutions, though full implementation remains pending. A positive development emerged in 2024 when South Sudan adopted the Women's Charter to boost female participation in constitution-making.
NGO and Government Interventions in South Sudan
Despite these challenges, organizations continue their commitment to change. The Women's Social and Economic Empowerment Project offers $70 million to help women access livelihoods and GBV services. UN Women helps implement gender-inclusive peacebuilding policies. Women-led organizations like Women Relief Aid work at community levels to bring peace and development throughout the country.
Comparison Table
Country | WPS Index Rank | WPS Index Score | Women in Parliament | Key Violence/Safety Statistics | Notable Legal/Social Challenges |
Afghanistan | 181 | 0.279 | 0% | 68% report "bad" or "very bad" mental health; 25% feel safe in community | Women face complete education ban; formal restrictions through "vice and virtue law" |
Yemen | 180 | 0.323 | Not mentioned | 3 million women face risk of gender-based violence | Male guardians restrict movement; women undergo forced head-shaving at checkpoints |
Central African Republic | 179 | 0.362 | 11.4% | 20.9% women face intimate partner violence; 5,928 GBV cases reported early 2023 | Women's legal framework scores 52.5/100; 61% marry before 18 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 175 | 0.405 | 13.5% | 52% women survive domestic violence; 427 maternal deaths per 100,000 births | Women hold only 7.2% of high-level decision-making roles |
Syria | 178 | 0.364 | 9.6% | 19% face intimate partner violence; 11,583 documented sexual violence cases | Women's residential property ownership remains at 2-5% |
Iraq | 158 | 0.51 | 25% quota (84/329 seats) | 15.1% intimate partner violence; 67% feel safe in community | Female labor participation stays at 11%; only 4% men support wives working after 5 PM |
Pakistan | 169 | 0.462 | Not mentioned | 17.4% intimate partner violence rate | 26% girls lack schooling; women's earnings lag behind men |
Niger | 163 | 0.492 | 19.6% | 60% women endure lifetime violence; 76% marry before 18 | Child marriage rates top globally; 61.4% girls remain unschooled |
Somalia | 170 | 0.455 | 20% | 692 maternal deaths per 100,000 births; 99.2% FGM prevalence | Ranks 4th last in Gender Inequality Index; women's 30% quota remains unmet |
South Sudan | 173 | 0.411 | 35% quota (incomplete implementation) | 26.7% intimate partner violence; 8% female literacy rate | Domestic violence laws absent; women face limited inheritance rights |
Conclusion
The 2025 WPS Index paints a bleak picture of women's lives in the world's most dangerous countries. Denmark leads the rankings while Afghanistan, Yemen, and the Central African Republic lag behind with scores barely reaching one-third of Denmark's. Women in these ten countries face the same challenges regardless of where they live. They can't access education or participate in politics. They endure violence, unfair laws, and economic hardship.
These nations share some disturbing trends. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic report shocking levels of gender-based violence. Niger's child marriage crisis continues as 76% of women marry before turning 18. Somalia and South Sudan's broken healthcare systems have led to devastating maternal death rates.
Women's strength shines even in these harsh conditions. Organizations worldwide and on the ground fight to protect women's rights in these dangerous areas. UN Women runs programs in almost all ten countries. Local women's groups show incredible courage as they provide vital services despite serious threats.
We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress. The Taliban's control has pushed Afghanistan backward, reducing women's education from 2.3 to 1.2 years. Yemen shows tiny improvements in some areas, but gender violence has jumped by 63%. Armed conflicts make women's rights violations worse and create new ones.
The world needs to act now. Six hundred million women live in conflict zones - that's half the world's female population. The gap between the best and worst performers on the WPS Index shows we can achieve gender equality. Success depends on political commitment, better laws, and social change. The fight for women's rights reflects our society's dedication to human dignity and justice.
FAQs
Q1. Which countries are considered the most dangerous for women travelers? Based on various reports and traveler experiences, countries like Afghanistan, Yemen, India, Egypt, and Somalia are often cited as being particularly unsafe for women travelers due to high rates of gender-based violence, restrictive laws, and cultural attitudes towards women.
Q2. What are some common safety concerns for women traveling to high-risk countries? Common safety concerns include sexual harassment, assault, theft, limited freedom of movement, lack of legal protections, and cultural misunderstandings. Women may face restrictions on clothing, behavior, and independent travel in some countries.
Q3. Are there any precautions women can take when visiting countries with poor women's rights records? Some precautions include researching local customs and dress codes, avoiding traveling alone especially at night, staying in reputable accommodations, being aware of surroundings, and having emergency contact information readily available. Joining guided tours or traveling with companions can also increase safety.
Q4. How do safety levels for women travelers compare between developed and developing nations? Generally, developed nations tend to have stronger legal protections, infrastructure, and cultural norms supporting women's safety. However, risks still exist everywhere. Developing nations may have higher crime rates and less consistent law enforcement, potentially increasing dangers for women travelers in some areas.
Q5. What resources are available to help women assess travel safety for different destinations? Useful resources include government travel advisories, women's travel forums and blogs, guidebooks with women's safety information, and non-profit organizations focused on women's rights globally. Consulting multiple sources can provide a more comprehensive picture of potential risks and precautions.
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