In this article, we take a look at the 20 countries with the highest rates of domestic violence. If you would like to skip our detailed analysis of the economic impact of domestic violence, you can go straight to the 5 Countries with the Highest Rates of Domestic Violence.
According to data from the World Bank, 30% of women worldwide have dealt with some form of intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence, which adds up to almost 736 million women across the globe. The numbers continue to increase, along with the understanding that domestic violence has widespread impacts on the entire functioning of a society, leading to mass social deterioration.
In the United States, nearly 20 people are abused by their partners every minute, according to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This means that more than 10 million men and women suffer from domestic violence annually. While both men and women tend to be affected by this kind of violence, data shows that the prevalence is higher among the female gender. Statistics also show that while 22% of women have faced intimate partner violence at least once during their lives, less than 40% of them seek active support. These patterns emerge from the stigma attached to domestic violence as well as a lack of trustworthy resources that women feel comfortable approaching.
The violence might be domestic, but the consequences extend to the entire societal sphere, including the economy. According to an analysis conducted in 2017, the lifetime costs of intimate partner violence were found to be $103,767 for every female victim and $23,414 for every male victim. When aggregated, these costs result in a population burden of almost $3.6 trillion over victims’ lifetimes, of which government sources only pay $1.3 trillion. The rest of the burden falls upon the victims and their families.
Most of this cost goes to medical bills, along with other elements such as lost productivity among both victims and perpetrators, victim property damage, and criminal justice activities. Hence, prioritizing the prevention of intimate partner violence can avoid substantial costs for both individuals as well as the government. It is also pertinent to note that many experts believe that not all cases of domestic violence are actually reported; hence, the actual costs could be even higher than the current estimates.
Studies showcase that 21-60% of individuals who survive domestic abuse end up losing their jobs due to a myriad of reasons that could be stemming from their abuse or emotional state. Moreover, the effects are not just limited to people who are actively engaged in the equation. Children witnessing domestic violence within their homes also deal with significant consequences.
Childhood exposure to domestic violence can lead to average lifetime costs of $50,000 or even higher in some cases. These costs can also add up to billions of dollars nationwide, having severe economic impacts. This is where corporations come in, as they can become big players in combatting domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence.
Employers hold the power to curate safe spaces and run various campaigns for those who are struggling with any form of domestic abuse. Proctor & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG) has formulated a global partnership with Habitat For Humanity, an NGO that aims to provide everyone with a decent living environment. Proctor & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG) has extended both material resources as well as employees to Habitat For Humanity. Together, the two organizations have achieved significant milestones in aiding communities to find better homes.
A while ago, Proctor & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG) joined hands with the UK chapter of Habitat For Humanity to build a refuge for women fleeing from domestic violence in their homes. Such housing solutions provide women with a decent escape and an alternative option when their homes become unlivable.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) has also dabbled in significant initiatives when it comes to battling domestic violence. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) has partnered with the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the US, and helps people manage their mobile lines in situations of domestic abuse. Anyone looking to shift mobile lines from an account due to conditions at home can reach out to Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) at their support number and find adequate help.
In a myriad of ways, public and private corporations can play their roles in helping men and women fight against domestic abuse and intimate partner violence. It’s with the combined efforts of these corporations and NGOs that people are able to find support in times of difficulty. Global corporations need to divert their focus to initiating such programs in the countries with the highest rates of domestic violence worldwide.
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Methodology
To rank the 20 countries with the highest rates of domestic violence, we have utilized the 2018 Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates given by WHO on behalf of the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group on Violence Against Women Estimation and Data. These estimates rank countries in various ranges based on the percentage of lifetime physical and sexual intimate partner violence among ever-partnered women aged 15–49 years.
For countries that had the same percentage of intimate partner violence, the UNDP Gender Inequality Index (GII) values from the year 2021 were utilized for tiebreaking purposes. A higher GII value means higher inequality between the two genders. It is essential to note that such values were not available for every country on this list due to a systemic lack of statistical data; in those cases, the percentage of women married off before the age of 18 (child marriages) is used as a tiebreaking factor. This has been done because of the many studies that have suggested child marriages to be a strong risk factor for intimate partner violence.
Based on these factors, here is the list of the 20 countries with the highest rates of domestic violence:
20. Cameroon
Percentage of violence: 39%
Cameroon is one of the many African states that make their place on this list. The unfortunate thing for the country is that no specific laws criminalize domestic violence, and such complaints are filed under the general assault provisions. This makes it difficult to effectively penalize someone who might have committed such violence. Domestic violence in the country is still considered a private matter by many, which leads law enforcement officers to not take these cases seriously, which eventually puts off people from even filing complaints.
19. Samoa
Percentage of violence: 40%
Gender Inequality Index Rank: 99
Samoa is a beautiful island in Polynesia that’s considered as having a family abuse ‘epidemic’. A survey that was published in 2018 mentioned that nine out of ten Samoan women had experienced either physical or emotional violence at the hands of a family member. Moreover, six out of ten women have specifically faced intimate partner violence, with every one in five women also having been raped.
Many children suffer from mental health issues, having grown up in homes with aggressive environments, yet they continue on in silence. The country ranks lower on this international list of countries with the highest rates of domestic violence, but national statistics tell a different story.
18. Burundi
Percentage of violence: 40%
Gender Inequality Index Rank: 127
Women and girls in Burundi have a four times higher chance of being the victim of sexual violence as compared to men. The country’s general culture showcases silence and impunity around sex-related crimes, which prevents victims from coming forward. Out of all the Burundian women who have faced physical violence even once in their lives, 57% were exposed to this savagery at the hands of their intimate partners. This led to the WHO partnering up with the Burundian Health Ministry to train health workers on recognizing, treating, and reporting incidents of gender-based violence.
17. Lesotho
Percentage of violence: 40%
Gender Inequality Index Rank: 144
Estimates say that one in every three women or girls face intimate partner violence in Lesotho, but less than 40% choose to report or take action. The country also ranks sixth in terms of highest rape instances per capita. Of all the issues women in Lesotho face, gender-based violence falls at the top of the list. Statistics show that in 2021, 47% of the women who were murdered died at the hands of an intimate partner. Against such a backdrop, UN-based agencies have started specific initiatives to combat domestic violence. However, there is still a long way to go before Lesotho leaves the list of the countries with the highest rates of domestic violence.
16. Zambia
Percentage of violence: 41%
Gender Inequality Index Rank: 138
The Zambian society is also deeply embedded with patriarchal values and traditions that have led to ever-increasing violence against women. A UN news report said that barely a day passes in the country without new cases being reported, with the average ratio being 50 cases a day in some areas. It’s believed that many cases still go unreported. If we take a look at year-by-year statistics, incidents of violence against women only seem to increase. Many believe this emerges from a cultural imbalance that systematically marginalizes women.
15. Gabon
Percentage of violence: 41%
Gender Inequality Index Rank: 140
For the longest time, the family law in Gabon has failed to prevent women from gender-based violence. In 2021, the country amended significant legislation in order to provide more financial inclusion and economic opportunities, but such actions in terms of the domestic sphere are yet to be seen. Gabon has also achieved significant milestones in other areas of women’s lives, such as education. However, gender-based violence still remains an important issue that the government and the judiciary need to tackle.
14. South Sudan
Percentage of violence: 41%
Gender Inequality Index Rank: 150
Due to the prolonged civil war in Sudan, many women have had to seek refuge in refugee camps. Unfortunately, refugee camps, contrary to their function, serve as breeding grounds for violence against women, which has led to increased numbers in the country. South Sudan is plagued by years of underdevelopment in every sphere of personal and social life, leading to frequent violations of women’s rights. The government can only hope to simulate a better living environment for its female population by targeting these systemic issues.
13. Bolivia
Percentage of violence: 42%
The violence rates against women went to an all-time high during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bolivia, but the issue remained the lack of a proper system for reporting and penalization. Bolivia has the highest rate of sexual violence in Latin America but also one of the lowest reporting rates for such instances. There are several barriers to access to justice and prevent many individuals from seeking help. One in three Bolivian girls experience sexual violence before the age of 18, leading to the country having one of the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy in the region.
12. Nauru
Percentage of violence: 43%
Percentage of child marriages: 27%
The WHO places Nauru in the 12th spot in terms of countries with the highest rates of domestic violence, but internal studies show that the percentage could be as high as 48%. The government also passed a Domestic Violence and Family Protection Bill a couple of years ago to combat this issue. International bodies and experts have commended Nauru’s initiatives against domestic violence, and one can hope they will bring about improvements for the women in the country.
11. Liberia
Percentage of violence: 43%
Percentage of child marriages: 36%
Liberia is relatively high on this list of countries with the highest rates of domestic violence. Still, one has to take into account the country’s efforts to create a better environment. The Liberian government has passed the Domestic Violence Act and the Rape Amendment Act and set up special courts to deal with cases of gender-based and sexual violence. When implemented effectively, such policies can improve access to justice for many women.
10. Uganda
Percentage of violence: 45%
In 2020, 17,664 domestic violence cases were reported in Uganda, out of which, only 1,359 were prosecuted, and a mere 400 resulted in conviction. Such distressingly low numbers keep people from coming forward to report these crimes. UN reports have stated that despite many laws and policies, rates of violence against women continue at a similar trend.
9. Afghanistan
Percentage of violence: 46%
Percentage of child marriages: 28%
Years of armed conflict and Taliban rule have created an environment conducive to significant acts of violence against women. The Afghan Ministry for Women’s Affairs conducted an evaluation for the years 2016-2020, between which, more than 60% of women claimed to have been married without their consent. Many women who filed complaints of abuse against their own families fled to women’s protection centers, but these were closed down after the Taliban took over, forcing those women back to their vulnerable homes.
8. Equatorial Guinea
Percentage of violence: 46%
Percentage of child marriages: 30%
The society in Equatorial Guinea showcases a cultural acceptance of domestic violence under the guise of a man having the right to ‘discipline his wife’. Domestic violence and marital rape are also not explicitly criminalized in legislation, which leads to further difficulty when seeking prosecution and convictions for such crimes. A report put out by the US Department of State mentioned that the judicial system in Equatorial Guinea is very likely to treat domestic violence as a private matter between family members.
7. Vanuatu
Percentage of violence: 47%
Percentage of child marriages: 21%
Vanuatu faces issues similar to many of the other states on this list of countries with the highest rates of domestic violence. Domestic violence is considered a private matter and is exacerbated by cultural and social beliefs. The government has launched groundbreaking legislation against domestic violence, yet rates remain pretty high, with many cases even going unreported.
6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
Percentage of violence: 47%
Percentage of child marriages: 29%
The COVID-19 pandemic severely increased domestic and sexual violence against women in Congo, especially in the North Kivu province. No specific law criminalizes domestic violence, and many victims cannot initiate legal proceedings due to financial constraints. While significant focus has been put on combating sexual violence against women, the arena of domestic violence lacks such efforts.
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