Canada, New Zealand, Australia: Safest Countries For Women To Live And Study
Studying at a university abroad is a dream for many people but it comes with a lot of challenges. For women, these challenges can also be in the form of severe threats. People in conservative nations like India tend to hesitate a lot before sending their daughters or other women relatives abroad.
Safety is the paramount reason behind such hesitations. Women tend to become vulnerable to exploitation, intimidation, and racial and sexual abuse in countries abroad. Highly conservative nations tend to be hostile towards women from other nations.
Thankfully, the world is changing for the better. More women are stepping out of their comfort zone to pursue their dreams. In some universities, women are outnumbering men. The world will be a better place if women are independent and financially secure. It’s like the old saying, "you educate a woman, you'll educate a generation."
When it comes to women's safety abroad, the following aspects should be considered:
Laws to protect them from both racial discrimination and sexual harassment or sexual violence.
Proper access to authorities and transparent proceedings.
Ability to move around the place, alone, without the need for a friend or a guardian.
Absence of restrictions on them and their ability to move around. Certain countries have banned women from stepping out of their place of accommodation after hours.
Protections in the form of CCTV cameras, security, etc.
Some of the facts about women's safety abroad are:
A majority of the world's safest countries for women are in Europe. 13 countries mentioned in the top 20 safest countries for women, are European nations.
Europe is generally considered the safest region in the world when compared to both Asia and America.
Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are there in almost every list of safe countries.
If you are a woman who is ready to step out of this comfort zone, then opt for any of these three nations that have been declared safe for women.
Canada
Canada is there in almost every list of the safest countries for female international students. One of the reasons why international students, in general, opt to go to Canada is because of the welcoming, compassionate, safe, and secure environment. Canada is ranked 10th on the Global Peace Index 2021. Canadians have great concerns about the safety and well-being of foreign nationals, especially women.
Canadian Universities have 24/7 security measures that are placed around the campus for women's safety. Students are given emergency contact numbers in case of any trouble. Female students, when requested, can get safe accommodations within the campus itself.
Certain Canadian institutions offer shuttle and security escorts to international students, especially women when they are travelling.
Women are also instructed to download their own mobile app which has a direct line to the security officials, who can be contacted while in distress. Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protect women from discrimination on the basis of their gender or marital status.
Canada, as a nation, played a strong role in ensuring that international women's rights are subjects of focus during the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and Human Rights Council.
Canada is expected to submit a report, on how well they have worked towards furthering women's rights, to the United Nations every four years. When compared to other countries, Canada has reported a very low rate of racial discrimination and several laws against it.
New Zealand
New Zealand takes pride in electing a strong woman to lead the country - Jacinda Ardern. In the year 2021, New Zealand was placed in the 2nd spot in the Global Peace Index, and they have a peace index score of 1.253.
In New Zealand, educators and educational institutions play a crucial role in furthering women's rights and safety in the country. Before the students are enrolled, education providers are expected to sign the NZ government’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of international students.
All educational institutions are expected to follow ethical and fair regulations when it comes to their treatment of international students. The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 protects people from discrimination due to their gender.
Australia
New Zealand's neighbour Australia is also part of the list of safest countries for women to study and live in. Indian women reportedly choose Canada or Australia for higher education or job purposes. With a score of 1.470, Australia ranks 16th on the Global Peace Index 2021.
Australia has reported fewer incidents of violence against international students on grounds of race and gender. Police have often been lauded for their swift action.
Australian government actively participates in discussions about challenges faced by international students, especially women. The country has been lauded for being extremely welcoming and respectful towards the Indians and other countries' cultures.
Both Australia and New Zealand have a total of 44 universities that rank high in the world rankings in terms of safety and quality education.
The Australian government had placed a dedicated policy, the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children, for the protection of women and children.
Would you like to migrate to any of these countries for higher studies?
Contact our team in Scholab to get the best Overseas Education Consultancy you can find in the country.