PARAMARIBO – Rape is a heinous crime that affects millions of women worldwide, with some countries having alarmingly high rates of reported incidents. According to a report from Best Diplomats, Suriname is in the top 10 of countries with the highest number of reported rape incidents. Botswana tops the list, followed by Lesotho and South Africa.

Shockingly, even developed nations like Sweden have high rape rates. It’s crucial to raise awareness, support survivors, and demand stricter laws to combat this global epidemic. Suriname is the sixth country with the highest number of rape incidents. The country has a reported rape rate of 45.21 incidents per 100,000 people as of 2024. This number indicates a significant risk to the public’s health and safety because it equates to roughly 223 documented incidents annually. The increase in reported rape incidents in Suriname can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, societal attitudes towards gender and sexual violence play a crucial role. In many cases, cultural norms may discourage victims from reporting incidents due to fear of stigma or disbelief. Secondly, the lack of adequate legal frameworks and enforcement can leave victims feeling unsupported and vulnerable. In Suriname, as in many other nations with the highest rape incidents, the justice system may not provide sufficient protection or recourse for victims. On the other hand, economic instability and social unrest can also worsen crime rates, including sexual violence.

The government of Suriname is promoting gender equality, addressing economic instability, and educating communities about consent and healthy relationships to reduce the percentage of such incidents. (Best Diplomats)…[+]