Does development deter crime against women? Panel evidence from India

Purpose This paper investigates the deterrence effect of development on crime against women in India. Specifically, authors examine composite index, i.e. Human Development Index (HDI), along with other variables acting as indicators such women’s employment, relative strength police force, urbanization, etc., crimes women. Design/methodology/approach study adopts a fixed within-group (WG) panel regression model and pooled data 28 states over 20 years from 2000 to 2019. For checking robustness results, use estimation system generalized method moments. Findings The results confirm measured by HDI female labor force participation various In addition, feticide representing socio-cultural attitude toward turned out be another significant determinant almost all types Further, also finds expenditure, urbanization arrest rate Originality/value research is unique because it tries hypothesis taking index development, at state level Indian union.