Equal Access, Unequal Safety: Women’s NightWork and Crime in India

Gianmarco Daniele and Abhinav Khemka

No 22148, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: Can expanding women’s access to work compromise their safety? We study Indian states’ removal of factory night-work bans using data from 2008–2024. Female employment rises by 23 percent and recorded crimes against women by 22 percent, with no corresponding increase in unrelated crimes. Recorded domestic and non-domestic violence both increase. Survey-reported sexual violence by non-partners also increases, while the rise in recorded domestic abuse may reflect greater reporting. Reforms expanding women’s economic opportunities can thus have unintended safety consequences.

Keywords: Female employment; Violence against women; Crime; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J16 J78 K42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-11
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