TRENDS, CHARACTERISTICS, AND PATTERNS OF FEMALE CRIMINALITY IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study examines the trends, characteristics, and patterns of female criminality in Punjab, Pakistan, based on quantitative data collected from 108 incarcerated women across six prisons. The analysis reveals that the majority of offenders were young (15–35 years), married, and illiterate. Murder and drug trafficking were the most prevalent crimes, followed by kidnapping, theft, and other offenses. Chi-square tests confirmed significant associations between marital status, education level, and place of residence with the type of crime committed. Urban women were more frequently involved in drug-related offenses, while rural women had a higher incidence of murder cases. The findings underscore that female criminality is patterned along demographic lines and shaped by social context, supporting the Differential Association Theory and Labeling Theory. The study highlights the importance of demographic factors in designing targeted interventions to prevent and address female involvement in serious crime.