List of the Safest Countries for Women to Study Abroad!

Studying abroad in an unfamiliar culture brings potential safety risks with it. Venturing into a new country becomes more difficult for women candidates. This is not only the concern of parents and students but also of the hosting university and local government. However, several countries have come forward and established proper laws and facilities to welcome international students. In this blog, we will be discussing the safest countries for women and international students. Hence, in this blog, we have compiled a list of the top safest countries for women and international students in the world to pursue their higher studies. 

List of Safest Countries for Women Students

The number one concern for many international students, especially female students or women, is their safety and security while they study abroad. Luckily, many countries and their respective governments have strict policies and measures in place to ensure foreign students are safe and secure during the duration of their studies. You can find below a comprehensive list of safe countries for women students:

1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. Netherlands
4. Denmark
5. Canada
6. Sweden
7. Switzerland
8. Singapore
9. The UK
10. Ireland
11. Austria
12. Norway
13. Finland
14. Iceland
15. Luxembourg

New Zealand

New Zealand is also considered to be one of the safest countries for women and students in general. It has a peace index score of 1.313 and ranks 4th on the Global Peace Index 2023. In New Zealand, educators are responsible for the safety and well-being of international students during the duration of their stay. Moreover, educator providers are required to sign the New Zealand government’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students before beginning the enrollment of the students. This code states that educators must follow all the ethical and fair regulations that have been set in place for the safety and fair treatment of all international students. Also, the culture in New Zealand is very welcoming with many support systems for international students. 

Australia

Next up on the list of safest countries for women and students is Australia. It is also considered to be one of the safest countries for both women travellers and Indian students. Incidences of violent crime against students on grounds of racial discrimination and homicide are very low. Moreover, the Australian Government is very serious about the safety of its international students and actively participates in discussions involving the challenges faced by international students. Australia is a socially cohesive nation that welcomes international students to study in Australia from different cultures and backgrounds and respects their traditions and practices. You can learn more about the cost of studying in Australia here!

Netherlands

Over the years, the Netherlands as a country has consistently been ranked as one of the most peaceful, student-friendly, and safest countries for women and students around the world due to which it has become a preferred destination for many international students and many female travellers. It has also been ranked as one of the safest countries for women travellers not only in Europe but in the whole world. The Netherlands also has a low crime rate, low racial discrimination as well as high gender equality. However, it is still advisable for international students to have the contact details of the embassy in case of any trouble. 

Denmark

The country of Denmark is very well-known for its high standard of living and higher gender equality. Hence, Denmark also ranks high on the list of safest countries for women and students. Not only is Denmark the safest country for women travellers but it is also a highly developed nation with low incidences of crime. It ranks 2nd on the Global Peace Index 2023 and has a peace index score of 1.31. International students are viewed as valuable resources by the Denmark government and educational institutions which provide them with several facilities including safe accommodations and reductions in their fees. Some of the core values of Denmark comprise freedom, equality, tolerance, and mutual respect for all individuals which is reflected in their work attitude and educational institutions. 

Canada

Canada is also undoubtedly one of the safest countries for women and student travellers. Canadian Universities are very much concerned about the safety and well-being of their foreign students and have 24/7 security measures that are placed around the campus. Also, international students are provided with safe accommodations away from their campuses if requested and they are supplied with emergency contact numbers in case of any trouble. Additionally, many institutions in Canada offer shuttles and security escorts to students when they are travelling to their accommodations or stations. They also encourage students to download their mobile app which has a direct line to the security officials. 

Sweden

Over the past decades, some of Sweden’s big cities like Stockholm or Gothenburg have grown into multicultural hubs with large communities of experts.  It’s not only the low crime rate that makes Sweden the perfect choice for those who wish to study there, but Sweden also has the safest traffic, with Europe’s lowest number of traffic deaths. It is also an ideal study destination for students who belong to the LGBTQ community and the culture of Sweden is very student-friendly and welcoming to all, hence making it on our list of top safest countries for women travellers and students. 

Switzerland

From its beautiful snowy mountains to the pleasant cold climate, Switzerland is not only popular for its beauty but also regarded and renowned for being one of the safest countries for women travellers and international students. It ranks 10th on the Global Peace Index 2023 incidences of violent crime are almost non-existent and the risk of petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, is very low compared to other countries. Therefore, international students can feel safe exploring Switzerland while just exercising a normal amount of discretion and vigilance. It also has strict gun laws and safety laws when it comes to the safety and well-being of international students. It is also one of the cleanest countries globally, with excellent public transport networks, and a world-class health system. Here is a blog on some of the best scholarships in Switzerland for Indian students to study in 2024!

Singapore

Singapore also ranks high on the list of safest countries for women and international students in the world. Currently ranked 6th on the Global Peace Index 2023, it has zero tolerance for physical and mental abuse and strict laws in place for the safety and security of foreign students.  Additionally, the people of Singapore are caring and warm towards people from other countries. Not to mention, Singapore is highly multicultural and diverse in terms of student background which makes it the ideal destination for international exchange and social interaction. It also has a high-class infrastructure and comfortable transportation systems which makes it easier for international students to travel. 

The UK

The United Kingdom has a robust legislative framework and laws in place to promote gender equality and women’s rights, making it one of the safest countries in the world for women.

The UK government has put in place several measures to safeguard women, including the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, which attempts to combat domestic and sexual violence, and the Domestic Abuse Bill, which intends to increase legal rights for survivors of domestic abuse.

Furthermore, the UK has enacted strong legal safeguards for women’s rights, such as the Equality Act 2010,* which protects people from workplace and wider society discrimination, and the Criminal Justice Act 2015,* which criminalizes various forms of coercive and controlling behaviour.

The United Kingdom is also well-known for its robust education and awareness-raising efforts on gender-based violence and discrimination, including campaigns to combat negative attitudes and behaviours toward women. Because of its commitment to gender equality and women’s safety, the United Kingdom has become a safe and inviting country for women.

Ireland

Ireland has also been named one of the world’s safest countries for women, with a strong commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. Furthermore, the country has made tremendous progress in recent years, ranking 3rd on the Global Peace Index 2023, particularly in combating gender-based violence and discrimination.

The Irish government has put policies and measures in place to promote women’s safety and well-being, such as the creation of specialized police units to deal with domestic and sexual abuse. In addition, the country has strong legislation in place to defend women’s rights, such as the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017*, which criminalizes different forms of sexual violence and harassment.

Furthermore, Ireland has made great progress toward gender equality in the workplace and political participation. Women have major leadership roles in a variety of fields, including business, law, and politics, and the government has regulations in place to encourage women’s participation in these fields.

Austria

Austria offers a central European location with stunning scenery, and the country has a strong higher education system. It ranks 5th in the Global Peace Index 2023, with an index score of 1.316. The importance Austria places on higher education is mirrored in its tuition rates, which are extremely low given the quality of education imparted, especially for international students.

Austrians speak a variety of dialects of standard German, and practically everyone speaks English very well, making it an excellent place for language practice.

Norway

For the previous two years, Norway has consistently held the top spot on the annual peace index. Women in Norway can walk through city streets with confidence, day or night, without anxiety resting on their shoulders.

Domestic violence laws and prevalent cultural attitudes in Norway collectively set a high standard for the quality of partnerships, supporting the ideals of equality and mutual respect.

Within educational institutions and workplaces, Norwegian women experience an environment of equity and empowerment. They value equal opportunity and are protected from discrimination and gender-based violence.

Finland

Finnish society values gender equality and the notion of women’s autonomy, indicating a deep commitment to women’s well-being in all aspects of life. Even before gaining independence in 1917, it was the first European country to grant women full political rights in 1906.

This Nordic country has a strong legal framework in place to prevent domestic violence, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination.

Iceland

Iceland raises the bar for all countries by implementing robust legislation to protect women from assault and discrimination, displaying its unwavering dedication to women’s rights. It ranks at #1 in the Global Peace Index 2023, with an index score of 1.124.

It values work-life balance and gender equity, as seen by its dogged pursuit of female pay parity via a certified equal pay policy. This shows the country’s dedication to fostering a just and equal society.

Women are supported in all facets of the Land of Fire and Ice, including its healthcare system, which is tailored to their special requirements. Furthermore, its substantial family leave policies provide equal opportunity for both moms and fathers to care for their children, laying the framework for good family bonding.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg demonstrates to be a very safe environment for independent female travellers as well as those thinking about settling there. This country is known for its low crime rates and pleasant inhabitants, making it a good choice for female travellers.

Furthermore, Luxembourg boasts an extensive and efficient public transportation system that enables easy exploration of its environs. Luxembourg is a first-rate tourist destination due to the availability of several tourist sites and a varied range of enjoyable activities.

Best Student Cities for Studying Abroad

Some of the best student cities in the world are:

• Dublin
• Melbourne
• Auckland
• London
• Boston
• Toronto

These towns are well-known for their world-class institutions and colleges, diverse student populations, lively cultures and communities, and various chances for personal and intellectual advancement. They provide a variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities, as well as access to job and networking possibilities, making them appealing locations for international students.

FAQs

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So there we have it! A comprehensive list of the top safest countries for women and international students in the world. To read more insightful and interesting blogs like this, stay tuned to Leverage Edu!