2012/09/28 by Lakshmi Iyer, Anandi Mani, Prachi Mishra +1 · 3 citations
Social Sciences · #Gender Politics and Representation #Media Influence and Politics #Electoral Systems and Political Participation
paper · doi:10.1257/app.4.4.165
openalex publication_date 2012/09/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Using state-level variation in the timing of political reforms, we find that an increase in female representation in local government induces a large and significant rise in documented crimes against women in India. Our evidence suggests that this increase is good news, driven primarily by greater reporting rather than greater incidence of such crimes. In contrast, we find no increase in crimes against men or in gender-neutral crimes. We also examine the effectiveness of alternative forms of political representation. Large scale membership of women in local councils affects crime against them more than their presence in higher-level leadership positions. (JEL D72, J16, K42, O15, O17)