7. The Central African Republic
Total score – 29
Located in the heart of the African continent, the Central African Republic ranks 7th in our list of most barbaric countries in the world. It is home to over 4.7 million citizens. The country appears on a blacklist of nations where women and girls are subjected to genital mutilation. Unlike in the previous nations on our list, here, “only” about 24% of women were forced to endure such tortures, 52% of them being mutilated between ages of 10 and 14.
Another barbaric procedure, the Central African Republic is the nation with the second highest rate of child marriage – 68%. UNICEF estimates that 29% of girls married by the age of 15, and 68% before they turned 18. The legal minimum age for civil marriage in the Central African Republic is 18, although marriage at 13 can be permitted if approved by a court or if the girl is pregnant. Marriage at earlier ages is also legal if the parents consent, which falls in line with the local cultural practice.
The ongoing conflict in the area hasn’t helped the situation much, with domestic abuse and sexual violence against women being on the rise. Freedom House marks the country as “not free”.
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