How do women's rights fair across the world? A look at sexist countries that refuse to grow up

Sexist laws have no place in the 21st century, but these countries don't think so. Photo: Facebook/WomensRightsNews

Did you know that in some countries it's actually legal for a man to abduct a woman if he marries her afterwards? No, we aren't kidding.

While women have been fighting to live a life with equal rights, there are still some laws that make the world harder place for them. From a ban on women driving trains or tractors in Russia, to countries like India where marital rape is still legal, sexist laws persist across the globe.  

Here are 10 countries that probably haven't realized that it's the 21st century and have laws that are sexist AF.

Also Read: These are the least sexist countries in the world. And they're damn beautiful Women In Countries Like Jordan, Lebanon, And Monaco Are Effectively Second-Class Citizens When It Comes To NationalityThere are countries that still continue to discriminate against women when it comes to their personal national identity. For example, in Jordan and Lebanon, a child requires a Jordanian or Lebanese father to automatically get citizenship--the mother's nationality however doesn't matter.

Lebanon is a one step ahead when it comes treating women as the runt of the society. According to their laws, if any man kidnaps or rapes a woman, he can't be prosecuted as long as he marries the victim afterwards. In Nigeria, A Husband Can Beat His Wife As Long As He Does Not Cause Grievous Bodily HarmDomestic violence is a reality for many women across the world.  In fact, There are 46 countries in the world which do not provide any legal protection against domestic violence. However, when it comes to Nigeria, men are allowed by the law to beat up their lawfully wedded wives.

According to their laws, it is within a husband's legal rights to beat his wife "for the purpose of correcting" her, as long as it does not cause grievous bodily harm. So much for the vows of protecting your wife, right?

Also Read: 38% of women in India own property, but that's not worth celebrating

In Countries Like Chile and Tunisia, A Man Is Entitled To Inherit More Than A WomanWhen it comes to division of property or money, shouldn't everything be equally divided regardless of someone's gender? Well, not according Tunisia it seems. A 1956 law explicitly states that, "where there are any sons, the male inherits twice as much as the female."  Well obviously, because having a penis has its privileges, right?If You Are in Yemen, Singapore, Or India, Marital Rape Is Still Not A CrimeWhen it comes to a few countries, consent is still an alien subject--because "no" still does not mean "no"  to them. In Singapore and India, non-consensual sex within marriage is not a criminal offense and does not constitute as rape.

Also Read: Six legal rights every girl in India should know of

While in Yemen, a country where child marriage is quite rampant, there is no lower age limit to define rape in marriage.

Saudi Arabia Still Refuses To Allow Women To Drive CarsSaudi Arabia is the epitome of gender discrimination. A fatwa that was imposed in 1990 is still followed in the country, forbidding women from driving cars.

Also Read: Gender equality is a distant dream for another 170 years

Despite repeated campaigns by brave women, the ruling has still not been overturned. And you know what's the funniest part? The United Nations recently elected the Gulf nation to its Women's Rights Commission for a four-year term. No, we are not kidding.

Also Read: For the good of women, UN elected Saudi Arabia to its Women Rights Commission. Are you laughing yet?

Whether it's taking consent seriously or outlawing all forms of violence against women--ending institutional inequality must start now. Sexist laws have no place in the 21st century and that's what the world needs to realize.