The evidence clearly suggests that world peace and gender equality go hand-in-hand. According to Foreign Policy, “there is a strong and highly significant link between the state’s and women’s security…the best predictor of a state’s peacefulness is not its level of wealth, its level of democracy, or its ethno-religious identity; the best predictor of a state’s peacefulness is how well its women are treated.”

In their investigative book “Sex and World Peace,” four scholars found out that the larger the gender gap with respect to the treatment of men and women in a population, the more probable it is for a country to get involved in interstate issues as well as have higher levels of violence.

Regarding economic growth, national wealth, corruption and social welfare, the best prognosticators are those which manifest the situation of women. According to Foreign Policy, “what happens to women affects the stability, prosperity, bellicosity, corruption, health, regime type and power of state.”

The empirical results are abundant. WomanStats database rated countries based on numerous sections respecting women’s security from 0 (best) to 4 (worst). In this categorical system, no country received a 0, in regards to the physical security of women.

The world average was 3.04, “attesting to the widespread and persistent violence perpetrated against women worldwide, even among the most developed countries,” announced Foreign Policy. The United States received a 2.0 due to the predominance of rape and domestic violence.

Gender-based assault is sadly intrinsic in many cultures and it remains rooted in the countries associated with underdevelopment.

The fundamental objective facing the 21st century is to eradicate violence against women and remove barriers that prevent them from development and empowerment.

“The countries of the world must try a different path, one that we have every empirical reason to believe will lead to greater well-being, prosperity and security for the entire international system. Sex and world peace, then, with no question mark,” said Foreign Policy.

– Isabella Rölz

Sources: Foreign Policy, Woman Stats, Columbia University Press (2016) Sex and World Peace,