If you happen to be a woman currently thinking about moving abroad or narrowing down your options for your next travel adventure, we offer you our invaluable resource – a comprehensive guide carefully compiled to discover the safest countries in the world for women. On its pages, you will discover important insights that will help you in the decision-making process.
As of 2023, Norway is the safest country for women to travel or live in.
List of the safest countries for women to travel or live in the world
1. Norway2. Finland3. Iceland4. Denmark5. Luxembourg6. Switzerland7. Sweden8. Austria9. Great Britain10. Netherlands
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Safest countries for women to live or travel
This compilation of the 9 safest countries for women is a comprehensive report based on data from the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index, jointly developed by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the Oslo Peace Research Institute.
The WPS Index is an excellent assessment tool, which assesses the status of women’s inclusion, access to justice and overall security in a range of 170 countries. This assessment is structured to include a total of 11 different indicators:
> Education> Financial inclusion> Employment> Mobile phone use> Parliamentary representation> Absence of legal discrimination (overall score)> Filial bias (male to female ratio at birth)> Discriminatory norms (% male)> Intimate partner violence> Community safety (% ) > Organized violence
1. Norway
Norway has consistently maintained its first place in the annual peace index for the past two years. Women in Norway are given the freedom to confidently travel the city streets, whether day or night, without the burden of fear weighing on their shoulders.
There are strict domestic violence laws and prevailing cultural attitudes that together set a high standard for the quality of relationships, promoting the principles of equality and mutual respect in Norway.
Norwegian women have an environment of equality and empowerment within educational institutions and workplaces. They enjoy equal opportunities and benefit from strong safeguards against discrimination and gender-based violence.
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2. Finland
Finnish society respects gender equality and supports the principle of women’s autonomy, reflecting a deep commitment to the well-being of women in all spheres of life. Even before its independence in 1917, it became the first European nation to grant women full political rights in 1906.
This Nordic nation boasts a strong legal framework designed to combat domestic violence, sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.
3. Iceland
Iceland sets a high bar for all countries by passing strong legislation to protect women from violence and discrimination, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to women’s rights.
It embraces work-life balance and a culture of gender equality, which can be seen in its persistent pursuit of equal pay for women through a certified equal pay policy. This shows the country’s commitment to promoting a just and equal society.
The land of fire and ice supports women in all aspects, including its healthcare system, which is tailored to their specific needs. Furthermore, its generous family leave regulations give both mothers and fathers equal opportunities to care for their children, laying the foundation for healthy family bonding.
4. Denmark
Gender discrimination is not only condemned in Denmark, but also prohibited. Furthermore, women have easy access to health treatments that are tailored to their specific needs. It provides a full year of paid family leave to encourage fathers to play an equal role in their children’s development.
The convergence of cultural values and government policy creates an environment where women are empowered to pursue their goals freely and independently. That’s why the government there recently passed the groundbreaking Equal Pay Act, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that women and men are paid equally for their work.
The convergence of cultural values and government policy creates an environment where women are empowered to pursue their goals freely and independently.
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5. Luxembourg
Luxembourg has proven to be a very safe place for independent female visitors as well as those considering moving there. This country is known for its excellent low crime rate and friendly people, making it a great choice for ladies traveling alone.
Furthermore, Luxembourg has a large and efficient public transport network that allows for unhindered exploration of the surroundings. The availability of several tourist attractions and a diverse range of entertainment activities ensure that Luxembourg is a first-class place to visit.
6. Switzerland
Switzerland has taken significant initiatives to firmly integrate gender equality and women’s rights into its renewed institutional framework, with the 2030 Agenda serving as a guiding compass.
Striving for gender equality, empowering women and improving their rights are integral parts of the new Swiss Sustainable Development Strategy.
In Switzerland, new mothers are entitled to a generous four-month paid maternity leave, receiving 80% of their regular salary during this period. In addition, fathers are encouraged to take advantage of paid paternity leave, fostering a culture of shared parenting responsibilities.
7. Sweden
Similar to many of the other nations that excel in gender equality on this list, Norway boasts a long-standing commitment to promoting gender equality among its population. In 2022, women occupied a valuable 45% of parliamentary seats in this Scandinavian country, which represents the largest share in more than three decades.
In fact, the Land of the Midnight Sun took a major step in 2005 by becoming the first country to impose a requirement for listed companies to ensure that their boards consist of at least 40% female representation—a quota that the government recently extended to include large and medium-sized private companies. In addition, the state provides considerable support to new parents by offering a generous parental leave policy, affording them an incredible 49 weeks of fully paid insurance.
8. Austria
The Austrian parliament is a shining example of gender balance, with women making up 40% of its members. This unequivocally means the active and meaningful engagement of women in politics.
Moreover, Austria supports the principle of gender equality in property rights, ensuring equality between men and women in this critical aspect of legal protection.
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9. Great Britain
Through programs to educate girls and prevent sexual violence, the UK significantly supports women’s rights and empowerment.
Under British law, the United Kingdom supports strict measures against discrimination and acts of violence directed at women in the spheres of interpersonal relationships, professional settings and public arenas.
Women within the nation are afforded basic rights and opportunities that include the provision of health care, access to education, economic engagement and representation in the political sphere.
10. The Netherlands
The previous year, women made up approximately 41% of the Dutch parliament, a significant increase from the 31% representation recorded in 2019, just three years before. Furthermore, as a historical milestone, in the month of July, for the first time in the history of the Dutch administration, women achieved a majority in the Dutch cabinet.
The Netherlands thus joined a select group of 13 countries, including Sweden and Denmark, when the World Bank included it in a league of nations where women enjoy equal legal status with men in various critical spheres, including benefits, parenting and property rights.
For women considering relocation, the northern European nations of Denmark, Finland and Sweden beckon with a compelling array of benefits, including strong social services, cautious security provisions and broad professional prospects, all within an environment characterized by general safety and openness.
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Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education