Holi crimes: The impact of a public festivity on violence against women

Rubén Poblete-Cazenave and Claudia Martínez V.

Journal of Development Economics, 2025, vol. 177, issue C

Abstract: Many women experience physical or sexual violence, often in public spaces. We study the role of gender norms in perpetuating this violence by analyzing Holi, a festivity in India, where the phrase “Bura na mano Holi Hai” (Don’t feel offended, it’s Holi) is misused to justify inappropriate behavior. We document a 170% increase in assaults against women during Holi. Analysis reveals (1) higher violence in districts where men justify violence, and (2) a male backlash effect where women oppose it. Underreporting and reduced mobility during Holi do not appear to be the main drivers. To date, nobody has been convicted.

Keywords: Violence against women; Public festivities; Social norms; Street harassment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J16 K14 K42 O12 Z10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:deveco:v:177:y:2025:i:c:s030438782500094x

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2025.103543

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