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

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Poblete-Cazenave, Ruben; Martinez, Claudia
• 署名单位: Autonomous University of Barcelona; Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron; Erasmus University Rotterdam - Excl Erasmus MC; Erasmus University Rotterdam; Tinbergen Institute
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2025.103543
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: Violence against women; Public festivities; social norms; Street harassment

摘要

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.