Many young women are into travelling solo internationally these days and recent trends also show numerous retired women travelling alone, all over the world. According to data collected by the travel network Virtuoso, the number of solo women travellers aged over 65 years in 2022 was four times the figure in 2019.
That said, many solo women travellers say a lot of planning goes into their itinerary to ensure safety.
Here is a list of the five safest nations for women, according to WPS (Women Peace and Security Index) of Georgetown University; Global Gender Gap report of the World Economic Forum and the Institute for Economics and Global Peace Index.
Slovenia
The top nation in the women’s peace and security index for Central and Eastern Europe, Slovenia has achieved significant progress in this regard in recent years. According to this index, 85 per cent of the women in Slovenia are safe. Moreover, the public transport around the country is also secure.
Rwanda
The African nation of Rwanda ranks number one in the world in gender equality among lawmakers, as 55 per cent of the seats in Parliament are reserved for women. Rwanda also has a top position in the community safety index, says a report of the Women Peace and Security Index. The country is also ranked sixth in the world in the Global Gender Gap Index, which evaluates women’s involvement in economic activity, education, healthcare and politics.
UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the top rank in women’s school education and economic involvement in the Middle-East North Africa (MENA) region. Recently, the UAE implemented women’s equality in the Parliament also. A study revealed that 98.5 per cent of women aged 15 years and above in the UAE felt that walking alone in their city or area at night was safe. Dubai in the UAE also earned the top rank in the index of safest cities prepared by Insure my Trip, a travel insurance firm, for women travelling solo.
Japan
Japan is among the top 10 safest nations in the world, according to the Global Peace Index. The country also has very low crime rate and witnesses few violent incidents. Unique facilities are offered to women travellers in Japan, including solo subway cars, accommodation, dining and activities.
Norway
The Women’s Peace and Security Index has awarded Norway the first rank in women’s involvement in economic affairs, community safety for women and absence of discriminatory laws. Norway also finds a place among the top 10 countries in the world in gender equality and happiness lists every year.
