Better roads, less corruption: Why electing a woman MLA makes more sense

While the study found about 10% of women legislators had pending charges, this was about 32% for men

Constituencies that elect women in India’s state legislative assemblies are likely to witness more economic growth than those run by male politicians, according to a new study that analyses the economic impact of electing women members of legislative assemblies (MLAs).

This is because women legislators are likely to be less criminal and corrupt, more efficient, and less vulnerable to political opportunism or attempts by politicians (mostly male) to stay in power, said the May 2018 paper from the United Nation’s University, World Institute for Development Economics Research.

“While there is evidence that raising the share