Safest Places for Women to Live and Work
Each year, the G20 conference gathers countries of advanced and emerging economies to confer on international relations and trends in global finance. As evidenced by the now-routine protests and demonstrations surrounding each meeting, the global economy has far-reaching impact on the well-being of people around the world.
Before this year’s conference in Mexico, TrustLaw conducted a poll of 370 experts in gender and development to rank how good each of the 19 member countries is for women. TrustLaw, “a global hub for free legal assistance and news and information on good governance and women’s rights,” used the following criteria in their ranking:
1. Quality of health
2. Freedom from violence
3. Political participation
4. Workplace opportunities
5. Access to resources (i.e. education, property rights)
6. Freedom from trafficking and slavery
The results have been shared in a set of infographics laced with facts and stats that are alternately eye-popping and heart-breaking. Even the top-rated countries have plenty of room for progress. With the US ranking only No. 6 in the poll, the results reflect how far even a uniquely wealthy Western nation needs to come in improving the quality of women’s lives.
A few observations shared by TrustLaw:
• Australia ranks high at No. 4, yet 1 in 3 women there will experience physical violence in their lifetime. Nearly 1 in 5 (19.1 percent) have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
• India is the worst G20 country for women. Said a representative of Save The Children UK, “In India, women and girls continue to be sold as chattels, married off as young as 10, burned alive as a result of dowry-related disputes, and young girls exploited and abused as domestic slave labour.”
• China (No. 14) has extraordinary levels of gender discrimination and is darkly marked by “son preference.” According to statistics provided by the World Bank, 1.09 million girls were dead or “missing” at birth due to infanticide in 2008.
• Russia (No. 13) continues to have a widespread problem with prostitution domestically, and 57,750 women are trafficked from the country every year. In Brazil (No. 11), a quarter million children are estimated to be involved in prostitution.
• Germany (No. 2) has a female head of state, and the life expectancy there for women is 83 years.
• Saudi Arabia, at No. 18, is a wealthy kingdom but is heavily influenced by an ultra-conservative form of Islam requiring women to submit to men in nearly every aspect of their lives. Only last year were Saudi women given the right to vote. There is no law against domestic violence to women.
• The United States ranked at No. 6, with due credit for civil rights, protecting victims of domestic violence, and workplace opportunities. But debates over reproductive rights — with 92 anti-abortion provisions enacted at state level in 2011 — and lack of affordable healthcare stranding nearly 23 million uninsured left the US trailing five other nations.
• Canada provides access to healthcare and places a premium on education, which are critical components in earning our northern neighbor the poll’s No. 1 ranking.
Photo: Michael Coyne/Getty Images
inspire: live a better life
-
Who should pay for a same-sex wedding?
Miss Manners touches on the financial requirements of same-sex in-laws for a wedding celebration.
-
100 ways to save money
Saving money only requires a few things: common sense, observation and self-restraint. It’s not always fun – especially in our consumer-driven society – but it’s always wise. So with a little research and some good old-fashioned inside-of-the-box thinking, we present 100 ways to get your spending back on track and your savings account flush with capital.
-
Ordinary people doing extraordinary things
You don’t have to be a saint or a genius to do something great. Here are 20 inspiring stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
-
14 Gifts Under $100
Adorable, original gifts to delight dads, grads, and newlyweds (plus they're under $100!).
-
9 summer solstice traditions
Happy summer solstice, the celestial event celebrating the longest day and shortest night of the year. Here are 9 summer solstice traditions:
-
I thought we had a good time on the first date
Miss Manners shares how to handle the next steps after a first date...gone wrong.
-
What do I do when I blank on someone's name?
Miss Manners advises on how to navigate the potentially embarrassing situation.
-
9 simple ways to de-stress at home
When there's no time to escape to the spa, create your own oasis at home. Here are nine ways to help you decompress in the comfort of your bedroom.
-
Help: I only have 6 invitations for my graduation
Miss Manners offers advice on what to do when you don't have enough invites.
-
30 Is NOT the New 20. But Is That Bad or Good for Us?
Clinical psychologist Meg Jay recently gave a TED talk that may make 30-somethings or almost-30-somethings break out in a nervous sweat. Here’s her main message: You know how you’re always hearing that 30 is the new 20? Phew, right? Wrong!
-
When children suffer from a family feud
Miss Manners talks about how to handle separated parents and extended family who don't get along.
-
My step-child is causing me heartache
Miss Manners on how to handle a stressful situation involving a step-daughter, an ex-son-in-law and a grandchild
