India is the most dangerous place in the world to be a woman

This report was based on a survey of 550 experts on women’s issues who found that India is the worst nation in terms of sexual violence against women, human trafficking for domestic work, forced labour, forced marriage and sexual slavery.

The poll was conducted between March and May with experts from Europe, Africa, the Americas, South East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific.

Respondents included aid professionals, academics, healthcare staff, non-government organisation workers, policy-makers and social commentators.

India also ranked as most dangerous for the risks women face from cultural and traditional practices, such as acid attacks, female genital mutilation, physical abuse and child marriage.

Government data shows reported cases of crime against women rose by 83 per cent between 2007 and 2016, with four cases of rape reported every hour.
The country has made headlines several times in the past few years for a number of high profile sexual violence crimes against women. Eight Hindu men were accused of the gang rape of an eight-year-old Muslim girl.

In a separate case in April, in the town of Kotwali Nagar, a seven-year-old girl was raped and murdered during a wedding.

Thousands took to the streets in protest following the death of a 16-year-old girl, who died after she was raped and burnt alive in her own home.

Gangadhara, an official at the Karnataka state government, said: “India has shown utter disregard and disrespect for women…rape, marital rapes, sexual assault and harassment, female infanticide has gone unabated.”

The world’s fastest growing economy and leader in space and technology is shamed for violence committed against women.

Updated: 2018-07-31 — 21:41:38