10 Of The Worst Countries For Gender Equality
Despite major advances in gender equality around the world, millions of women still face a difficult reality: progress remains slow and unequal, while some regions have even experienced setbacks. The Women, Peace and Security Index (WPS Index), developed by Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the Peace Research Institute Oslo, offers a comprehensive look at the state of women across the globe. Ranking 181 countries on over a dozen indicators of inclusion, justice, and security, it reveals a stark divide: the very best countries for women are more than three times better than the very worst .
Alarmingly, nine of the ten worst-performing countries are either conflict-affected or fragile states. Conflict and state collapse, the data shows, hit women first and hardest . Here are the ten countries at the bottom of the WPS Index.
10. Myanmar
Myanmar ranks low due to widespread political upheaval and conflict following the 2021 military coup. Ongoing violence, displacement, and economic turmoil have had a devastating impact on women’s safety, rights, and their ability to participate in public life .
9. South Sudan
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has remained mired in conflict and humanitarian crises. Women face severe challenges, including widespread gender-based violence, child marriage, and extremely limited access to education and economic opportunities .
8. Burundi
Burundi’s position on this list reflects deep-rooted gender inequality in its social and economic structures. Widespread poverty and political instability have compounded the issue, limiting women’s access to education and employment .
7. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)
Decades of armed conflict have turned parts of the DRC into one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman. Sexual violence has been used systematically as a weapon of war, and a weak justice system means survivors are rarely heard or supported .
6. Haiti
Haiti is the only country outside of conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East to rank in the bottom ten. Armed gangs, political instability, and institutional collapse have created a protection crisis. Reports of gang rape, kidnapping, and sexual exploitation have become a prominent feature of the security crisis, with more than 8,000 gender-based violence incidents recorded in 2025 .
5. Sudan
Sudan’s ongoing war has created a severe protection emergency for women and girls. More than 17 million women and girls require humanitarian assistance, and reports of rape, abduction, and sexual violence have emerged from homes, displacement sites, and checkpoints. The breakdown of justice systems leaves survivors with little hope of accountability .
4. Syria
Fifteen years of conflict have devastated Syria. Women face unsafe housing, interrupted education, and widespread unemployment. A shocking indicator of the situation is that only 17 percent of women surveyed said they felt safe walking alone at night—the lowest result recorded in the index .
3. Central African Republic (CAR)
Armed conflict and instability have made sexual violence alarmingly common in CAR. With a failing justice system and limited state capacity, many survivors remain unheard and unsupported, making it one of the most dangerous places for women in the world .
2. Yemen
The ongoing civil war in Yemen has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Women face extreme risks of exploitation, child marriage, and gender-based violence amid a collapsed economy and a failing state .
1. Afghanistan
Topping the list as the worst country for women, Afghanistan has a WPS score of just 0.279, more than three times lower than the top-ranked country, Denmark (0.939) . Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, women have been systematically stripped of their rights. Girls are banned from secondary school and university, women are barred from most work and public spaces, and their movement is restricted without a male guardian .
About the Author
My name is Dua Qamar, and I am a content writer who believes in the power of awareness. I write to highlight urgent global issues that demand our attention. The Women, Peace and Security Index is a critical tool, exposing the reality that the rights and safety of millions of women are not a given.
Why I Wrote This Article:
I wrote this piece to bring attention to the countries where women are facing the most severe challenges. My goal is to inform and educate readers on the state of women’s rights and safety globally, using data from the WPS Index.
How I Approached This Topic:
I researched the topic by drawing primarily on the Women, Peace and Security Index 2025/26, as reported by numerous news outlets. I cross-referenced multiple sources to identify the consistent rankings and the key factors driving women’s exclusion and insecurity in these nations.
Who This Article Is For:
This article is for anyone who cares about women’s rights, global justice, and the devastating impact of conflict on vulnerable populations. It is intended for readers who want to understand the structural and social barriers that continue to prevent women from experiencing safety and equality.
The Message I Hope Readers Take Away:
The data shows a clear and heartbreaking pattern: where states fail, women’s rights fail first. The difference between the best and worst countries for women goes far beyond statistics, reflecting the lives of millions affected by conflict, poverty, and deeply rooted discrimination.
Written by: Dua Qamar
