A Spurious Relationship of Gender Equality With Female Homicide Victimization

Abstract

Based on “amelioration,” “backlash,” and routine activity/lifestyle theories, the present study tested the impacts of both absolute and relative gender equality on female homicide victimization. The present cross-national examination developed several regression models by employing female homicide victimization data from the World Health Organization for 124 countries. Women’s absolute educational status and relative social status indices displayed significant relationships with female homicide victimization rates. However, significant associations of these two variables with female homicide victimization disappeared when important control variables—such as the gross domestic product, income inequality, and ethnic heterogeneity—were introduced in the regression models. Thus, the findings suggest that the relationship between gender equality and female homicide victimization is, at best, spurious.