The 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution mandates greater political representation for women. Photo: Sukanto Debnath (flickr)

Reported violence against Indian women is on the rise. That’s not as bad as it sounds.

A recent study by four economists suggests that this increase reflects growing willingness to report violence against women, rather than an increase in the incidence of crime. The reason, they suggest: more women are involved in Indian politics than ever before.

The study cites a 1993 law that requires at least one-third of all seats in local governments to be set aside for women. Since then, political representation for women has increased, and so has the recognition of gender violence. When women are in power, police are more likely to respond to claims of gender violence. Offenders are arrested, and women are safer.

This is about more than safe and civil societies. According to UN Women, “violence against women impoverishes individuals, families and communities, reducing the economic development of each nation.” Safer women, safer futures. A good place to start may be political empowerment.

Photo: knottleslie(flickr)

Afghanistan’s economy is getting a boost from a very unlikely source — Reality TV. In a new show called “Fikr wa Talash," or “Dream and Achieve,” Afghan entrepreneurs propose new business ideas to a panel of local business leaders, who award winners with up to $20,000. According to the International Herald Tribune, the show is wildly popular, and its creators hope that its success will help foster entrepreneurial growth all over Afghanistan.

Not only could the show popularize entrepreneurial spirit in one of the world's poorest countries, but it also shows promise for promoting gender equality. Two of the top five finalists in “Fikr wa Talash” are women entrepreneurs — a new concept in a country that only permitted women to work seven years ago.

It will be interesting to see if the viewing power of Reality TV, a traditionally tawdry genre in the U.S., can be successfully harnessed for social and economic benefit elsewhere.