Estonia

Estonia gained its independence from centuries of foreign rule at the end of World War I in 1918. The nation was subsequently forced to join the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1940, but again achieved independence when the union dissolved in 1991. Since that time, Estonia has steadily increased ties to the West, joining the European Union in 2004. By the 21st century, 69 percent of Estonians had become urbanized. Although the majority of the population is Estonian (67.9 percent), Russians (25.6 percent) are also well represented. Diversity reigns in religion, with Evangelical Lutherans (13.6) having a slight majority. With a per capita income of $18,800, Estonia is one of the richest countries in central Europe, in part because of an economy dependent on strong electronics and telecommunications. Sixty-one percent of the workforce is engaged in service.

Constitutionally and legally, Estonian women have the same rights as males, and those rights are generally enforced. Economic problems in 2008 led to an unemployment rate of 14.3 percent, and 5 percent of the population now lives below the poverty line. Even though a policy of women's rights includes the right to equal pay, media reports indicate that, despite higher levels of female education, there is a 25-percent wage gap in male and female salaries. Women also face problems with domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking.

Estonia's infant mortality rate is 7.32 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the country ranks 168th in this area in the world. The infant mortality rate of females (6.08) gives them a survival advantage over males (8.48) that continues to adulthood, resulting in a female life expectancy of 78.53 years, as compared to 67.45 years for males. The median age for females is 43.5 years. Estonian women have an average fertility rate of 1.42 children. Estonians face major health risks, including an intermediate risk of contracting bacterial diarrhea and tickborne encephalitis. Estonia has a human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevalence rate of 1.3 percent. Literacy is virtually universal (99.8 percent), and Estonians are well educated. With a 17-year school life expectancy, females outrank males (15 years).

Women have consistently been underrepresented in politics. In 1998, only 11 of 101 Members of Parliament were female. Six members of the cabinet were female, and one female ran for president. A decade later, the number of women in Parliament had risen to 21, and both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were female. The number of women in the cabinet had more than doubled.

[Page 499]Both women's rights groups and the media have repeatedly called attention to the issue of domestic violence. Officially, it is not considered pervasive, but nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) report that one in four women has been a victim of physical, sexual, or emotional domestic violence. In most cases, victims choose not to file charges. There are no laws specifically designed to deal with violence against women, but perpetrators are prosecuted under regular criminal codes. The government provides support for victims through social services, and NGOs are also actively involved in assisting victims. Spousal rape, like other forms of rape, is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

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