Publications
Publications
- 2011
- HBS Working Paper Series
The Power of Political Voice: Women's Political Representation and Crime in India
By: Lakshmi Iyer, Anandi Mani, Prachi Mishra and Petia Topalova
Abstract
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 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.
Keywords
Leadership; Crime and Corruption; Local Range; Laws and Statutes; Law Enforcement; Gender; Power and Influence; Public Administration Industry; India
Citation
Iyer, Lakshmi, Anandi Mani, Prachi Mishra, and Petia Topalova. "The Power of Political Voice: Women's Political Representation and Crime in India." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 11-092, March 2011. (Revised July 2011.)