The 10 Worst Places to Be a Woman Traveling Alone

South Africa: The World's Most Dangerous Country for Women

South Africa is the most dangerous country in the world for solo female travelers. Only 25% of South African women said they felt safe walking alone at night, the lowest of any country.

South Africa is notorious for sexual violence. It is estimated that over 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime.

Additionally, South Africa ranked the worst for the intentional homicide of women. The most dangerous country in the world for women is South Africa, notorious for its high levels of gender-based violence, sexual assault, and femicide, leading to its disturbingly high score of 771.82 on the Women's Danger Index.

The crime statistics paint a terrifying picture for any woman considering traveling there alone.

Brazil: Where Street Safety Disappears After Dark

In terms of street safety, Brazil is among the countries with the poorest records. As Forbes has noted, it is not recommended for tourists to walk alone at night.

Furthermore, the South American country has a history of intentional homicide against women. Second in line is Brazil, with a score of 624.28.

Brazil's reputation as a dangerous destination extends beyond its popular tourist spots. The country's high crime rates and gender-based violence make it a particularly risky choice for solo female travelers.

Even in major cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, women face significant threats when traveling alone.

Russia: Legal Discrimination and Violence Against Women

When it comes to discrimination against women, Russia performs poorly, according to Forbes. Women also face non-partner sexual violence and intentional homicide.

Russia is ranked third, largely due to having the second-highest rate of intentional homicides against women. It is also among the top ten countries for laws that limit women's ability to participate in society and the economy, reflecting widespread gender-based legal discrimination.

Following closely in third position is Russia, scoring 592.71 on the Women's Danger Index. The combination of legal barriers and physical threats creates a particularly hostile environment for women traveling alone.

Mexico: Femicide and Sexual Violence Crisis

Mexico is the fourth most dangerous country for female travelers. Approximately 33% of women in Mexico feel safe walking alone at night, and the country ranks fourth in terms of intentional homicides of women.

Moreover, about 16% of women experience non-partner sexual violence, placing Mexico third in this category. Mexico is gradually becoming an unsafe country, especially for females to travel.

Besides its poor street safety, women are vulnerable of being victims of intentional homicide and non-partner sexual violence. The ongoing cartel violence and organized crime have created an environment where women are particularly vulnerable to violence.

Iran: Severe Gender Gap and Legal Restrictions

Iran ranks fifth due to its significant gender gap, which measures disparities between men and women in economic participation, educational attainment, health, and political empowerment. Iran also ranks third for legal discrimination against women, further highlighting the challenges faced by female travelers.

In countries like Iran or Afghanistan, women must adhere to strict religious customs, such as wearing a headscarf in public. The legal framework severely restricts women's rights and freedoms, making it extremely difficult for women to travel safely and independently.

Afghanistan: The Most Restrictive Country for Women

Do not travel to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, and limited health facilities. The Taliban prohibit women from travelling and going to public places without a male guardian (such as parks and restaurants), looking at unrelated men's body and/or face, accessing higher education, working outside their home, working for non-governmental organisations and the United Nations.

Women must be accompanied by a male guardian and are expressly prohibited from many places. The Taliban has issued at least 70 decrees and directives that directly target the autonomy, rights, and daily lives of women and girls.

This oppressive environment has resulted in a marked deterioration in the quality of life for Afghan women, as reported by various data sources and firsthand accounts from Afghan women themselves.

Egypt: Gender Gap and Street Harassment

Egypt is the seventh-most dangerous country for female travelers. The country has a high global gender gap and ranks poorly in terms of gender inequality.

Only 47% of Egyptian women reported feeling safe walking alone at night. Moreover, the country ranks sixth for laws that restrict women's participation in society and the economy.

Egypt is historically rich, but the country has seen a rise in violence and harassment against women, making it less safe for solo travelers. The persistent problem of sexual harassment in public spaces makes Egypt particularly challenging for women traveling alone.

Morocco: High Intimate Partner Violence

Morocco ranks eighth, with 45% of women experiencing physical or sexual violence from their intimate partners—the highest rate on the list. Approximately 32% of Moroccan women believe that violence against women is justified under certain circumstances.

About 45% of Moroccan women experience physical or sexual violence from their intimate partner, the highest percentage on the list. About 32% of women agree that violence against women is justified under certain circumstances, the tenth-highest of the countries ranked.

The high acceptance of violence against women in Moroccan society creates an environment where female travelers face significant risks. Destinations like South Africa, Brazil, and Venezuela have higher rates of violent crime, while places like India, Egypt, and Morocco are known for persistent street harassment.

India: Widespread Gender-Based Violence

As the ninth-most dangerous country for women, India ranks fifth for intimate partner violence, which is 37.2%. According to the gender inequality index, India ranks first.

India is rich in culture, but it has a high rate of violence against women, making it essential for female travelers to exercise caution. India's complex social dynamics and widespread gender-based violence create significant challenges for solo female travelers.

While some regions like Rajasthan have better tourism infrastructure, the overall safety concerns remain substantial across the country.

Dominican Republic: High Homicide Rates

The Dominican Republic ranks sixth on the list, with only 33% of women feeling safe walking alone at night and the fifth-highest rate of intentional homicides against women. The country also ranks high in terms of gender inequality, which includes health, empowerment, and labor market participation.

The Dominican Republic has the fifth-lowest percentage of women who feel safe walking alone at night, at 33%, and the fifth-highest rate of intentional homicide against women. The Dominican Republic also ranks sixth for gender inequality, which measures health, empowerment, and the labor market.

The combination of high crime rates and systemic gender inequality creates a dangerous environment for female travelers.

The Global Reality of Women's Safety

The statistics reveal a sobering truth about women's safety worldwide. Women are unfortunately more vulnerable to harassment, theft, and other crimes while traveling, with 80 percent of women considering their safety when planning a trip, and two out of five women experiencing unwelcome interactions during their travels.

A recent solo female travel trends survey reveals that 69 per cent of women who have not travelled alone cited safety concerns as a major barrier. These countries represent the harsh reality that millions of women face daily.

From legal restrictions to physical violence, the barriers to safe travel for women in these nations are both systematic and deeply ingrained in societal structures. The question remains: when will the global community take meaningful action to address these issues?

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