Why is violence against women treated more seriously by some countries than others? I answer this question by examining the relationship between the representation of women in the legislature and the criminalization, enforcement, and perceived societal safety concerning violence against women. Using data that I have collected based on the U.S. State Department’s 2016 human rights reports, I find that when controlling for factors such as regime type or economic development, having more women in the legislature increases the rates of criminalization of violence against women, but has no effect on the enforcement of laws or the general safety of women from violence. I discuss my findings and their implication for the incorporation of women in politics.
