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Can COVID-19 Lockdown Reduce Crimes Against Women? A District- Level Analysis from India

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  • Prarthna Agarwal Goel
  • Joyita Roy Chowdhury
  • Yashobanta Parida

Abstract

In response to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government implemented a nationwide lockdown on 24 March 2020. We study the effect of lockdown on crimes against women. Using district-level panel data from 457 districts in India for five months (before, during and post-lockdown), we examine the interaction effect of COVID-19 containment zones and lockdown on crimes against women. Results suggest a differential impact of the lockdown on crime across different containment zones. Compared to the most COVID-19 affected zone, the less affected zones show a larger fall in crimes against women due to the imposition of a lockdown. JEL Codes: C33, J16, J78

Suggested Citation

  • Prarthna Agarwal Goel & Joyita Roy Chowdhury & Yashobanta Parida, 2022. "Can COVID-19 Lockdown Reduce Crimes Against Women? A District- Level Analysis from India," Journal of Interdisciplinary Economics, , vol. 35(2), pages 216-247, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jinter:v:35:y:2022:i:2:p:216-247
    DOI: 10.1177/02601079221111006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; lockdown; crimes against women; zero-inflated negative binomial; district-level; India;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J78 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Public Policy (including comparable worth)

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