Within the discipline of criminology, feminist criminology has become a vibrant and significant subfield that challenges conventional views on crime, criminal justice, and social inequality. An overview of the growing significance of feminist criminology as a unique and developing field of research is given in this abstract. In the past, criminology has largely ignored the special experiences and problems that women encounter in favor of concentrating on the experiences and viewpoints of men.

By closely analyzing the connections between gender, crime, and justice, feminist criminology aims to overcome this gender prejudice. This multidisciplinary approach, which draws inspiration from feminist theory and activism, seeks to identify and confront the gendered power structures that underpin victimization, crime, and the criminal justice system.

The investigation of gendered victimization and offending patterns, the social construction of gendered identities in connection to crime, and the analysis of the responses of the criminal justice system to female offenders and victims are some of the major topics in feminist criminology. It draws attention to the ways in which experiences within the criminal justice system are influenced by the intersections of gender with other social categories, including race, class, and sexual orientation.

The theoretical foundations of feminist criminology, such as intersectionality and the social constructionist method, will be covered in detail in this abstract. Feminist criminologists have brought attention to how gender influences victimization trends, criminal behavior, and the response of criminal justice systems by embracing these viewpoints. This abstract will also go over how feminist criminology has affected the criminal justice system.

The influence of feminist criminology on the field of criminal justice research and policy will also be covered in this abstract. It has affected the methods used to gather, examine, and evaluate crime statistics, which has improved our knowledge of the differences between male and female victimization and crime rates.
Introduction And Review Of Literature:

Within the larger feminist movement, feminist criminology is a subfield of criminology that arose in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is a critical viewpoint that uses a gendered lens to study and comprehend crime, criminal justice systems, and related societal concerns. Even though feminist criminology has been developing for a number of years, it is still becoming more and more recognized as a separate academic discipline. Feminist criminology's primary goals are to investigate how victimization, crime, and the criminal justice system are shaped by gender. It questions established criminological ideas and methods that have frequently ignored the experiences and viewpoints of women in favor of a male-centered perspective.

Feminist criminologists contend that knowledge of the social, cultural, and economic elements influencing women's lives and experiences is necessary to comprehend crime and its causes. Examining how gender affects crime is one of feminist criminology's major contributions. It draws attention to the ways that victimization patterns, criminal conduct, and reactions to crime are influenced by patriarchal systems and gender disparities. Feminist criminologists study a variety of gendered crimes, such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, and other crimes that disproportionately impact women. The interconnectedness of gender with other social categories, including race, class, and sexual orientation, is also acknowledged by feminist criminology.

It recognizes that women's experiences of crime and victimization are influenced by a variety of intersecting identities and that the complexity of these intersections must be taken into account when responding to these experiences. The rising prominence of feminist criminology can be attributed to the growing recognition of gender-based violence and inequalities in societies worldwide.

The feminist movement's achievements in raising awareness about issues such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and women's rights have contributed to the increased focus on gender in criminological research and policy-making. Moreover, feminist criminology has influenced policy reforms and interventions aimed at addressing gender disparities in the criminal justice system. It has contributed to the development of specialized courts, support services for victims of gender-based violence, and policies that prioritize prevention and early intervention.

Meaning & Scope:
The phrase "feminist criminology" refers to both the methods and a comprehensive theoretical framework that form the gender experiences at the center of criminology and criminal behavior research. A wide range of subjects are also discussed, such as female offenders, female victims, the ways in which female criminals respond, and the particular requirements of female prisoners.

The legal system's shortcomings, which prohibit it from accounting for the notable distinctions between the ways in which men and women commit crimes, the kinds of crimes they commit, the victims they harm, and the penalties they face, are confronted by feminist criminology. The basis of the study are male criminality and the treatment of male offenders by the legal system. According to criminology researchers and students, there has historically been a belief that, when looking at a general crime, one should concentrate on crimes committed by men, with female offenders being something of an exception. Here is the history of the development and notoriety of the feminist criminology subfield.

Need For The Development In The Field:
Women have mostly been ignored in criminology and related fields of study. Men have dominated the field of criminology's development, construction, and dissemination. Claiming that women are not the only people who should be ignored is hardly a satisfying or rational response, and the exclusion of women from the analysis presents a number of significant problems with the analyses' applicability that must be resolved. Furthermore, when criminologists talk about women who commit crimes, they do it in a very stereotyped way and think that these people are strange. Stated differently, people have generally been portrayed based on their psychological and biological makeup. To replicate the current frameworks for criminologies, we need to pay close attention to attention to the widespread female enterprise.

Background Of Feminist Criminology:
Sociologists just began to focus on female criminality in the late 1950s, despite the fact that it is not a recent phenomenon. The names Putna from the Mahabharata, who used to feed infants poison, and Swarpanakha from the Ramayana, who drove the nation to the brink of war because her desire was not sated by Ram and Laxman, are still widely used today. Due to the increase in women's engagement in criminal activity, women's criminal behavior has just recently come to light. Women's crime research has been disregarded for a very long time.

Historically, men have dominated the subject of criminology, with male scholars mostly concentrating on male criminals.The people who report and analyze these events for us are overwhelmingly male. Perhaps because of their small number, non-dominant position, and the seeming rarity of excessive severity from their guards, women prisoners have gotten less treatment. Lately, women have begun to participate in a wide range of social activities, such as academic, scientific, cultural, and other productive and non-productive endeavors. The growing participation of women in these specific fields is one of the factors that may be responsible for the increase in the rates of female criminality.

Theories Relating To Feminist Criminology:

• Liberal Feminist Theory Liberal feminism's main tenet is that women are subjected to unjust treatment and discrimination because of their gender. And the reason for this might be to keep women from accessing chances that are on par with those available to men in every aspect of life, such as jobs, politics, and personal relationships. The question of "What can be done to address this issue of gender inequality?" has to be considered. The "rapid incorporation" of women into a male-dominated environment is the solution, and it makes perfect sense in most cases. This means providing women with equal opportunities and helping them to hold positions of influence over national policy.
  
  The Liberal Feminist Theory is predicated on the notion that, as women gain more autonomy, it is possible to witness them engaging in criminal activities like to those committed by men. But at this point, there isn't enough first-hand data. Because of the growing prevalence of poverty, it is evident that women are currently only involved in petty offenses like shoplifting and small-scale fraud. Not only that, but these offenses occur significantly less frequently than crimes committed by men. Individuals who attempt to challenge the prevailing patriarchal perspective on gender norms are perceived as "unruly" women who require correction.
  
  Liberal feminism's main tenet is that women are subjected to unjust treatment and discrimination because of their gender. And the reason for this might be to keep women from accessing chances that are on par with those available to men in every aspect of life, such as jobs, politics, and personal relationships. The question of "What can be done to address this issue of gender inequality?" has to be considered.
  
  The "rapid incorporation" of women into a male-dominated environment is the solution, and it makes perfect sense in most cases. This means providing women with equal opportunities and helping them to hold positions of influence over national policy.
  
  The Liberal Feminist Theory is predicated on the notion that, as women gain more autonomy, it is possible to 8 witness them engaging in criminal activities like to those committed by men. But at this point, there isn't enough first-hand data. Because of the growing prevalence of poverty, it is evident that women are currently only involved in petty offenses like shoplifting and small-scale fraud. Not only that, but these offenses occur significantly less frequently than crimes committed by men. Individuals who attempt to challenge the prevailing patriarchal perspective on gender norms are perceived as "unruly" women who require correction.
   
• Radical Feminist Theory This theory initially criticized the assertions made by "Liberal Feminist Theory" by calling it unduly simplistic. It has also influenced feminists' perspectives on issues like maltreatment of women. These feminists contend that male power and the privileges bestowed upon it are major causes of gender inequity, dysfunctional social interactions, and criminality. • Patriarchy is arguably the most prominent societal system in existence. It is exemplified by the way men govern women's sexuality and the workforce. This primary link supersedes all other relationships (like class, for example), which originate from male-female relations in society. According to radical feminist, the following are the main causes of gender inequality and male dominance. Men's unsatisfied desire to control women's sexuality.
  
  Authority : the privilege of men in positions of power and the unfair portrayal of women. It mostly focuses on how mistreated women are and how they handle aggression from men. Males often physically, sexually, and even psychologically abuse women because they desire to control them and their potential. Regardless of its theory or ideology, the main objective of feminism is to draw women into society and social connections rather than to exclude men. As a result, gender discrimination of any kind will ultimately be successfully eradicated.
   
• Marxist Theory of Feminism Proponents of the "Marxist" feminist theory contend that social interactions are primarily shaped by the economic structure of society. It backs the liberal feminist theory, which maintains that because women live in a world where men predominate, they don't have enough opportunities to participate in society. The structure of an economy is the primary cause of gender inequality and social division. The intensification of sexual violence and gender inequality is a result of class societies' accumulation of exploitative production techniques.

CRIMINALITY AMONGST WOMEN People of all genders, including women, can commit crimes. Despite the historical overrepresentation of men in crime statistics, it's critical to acknowledge that women are not exempt from criminal activity. Women's criminal behavior can be caused by a wide range of variables, such as personal situations, psychological issues, socioeconomic conditions, and individual decisions.

It is important to remember that women may commit different types and frequencies of crimes than do men. Compared to men, women are typically less likely to commit violent or major crimes. Property crimes, fraud, drug offenses, prostitution-related offenses, and some sorts of white-collar crimes are among the frequent criminal activity committed by women.

It's critical to take into account both prospective solutions and underlying causes while tackling female criminality. It is crucial to take into account both preventative measures and potential rehabilitative strategies for those who have engaged in criminal activity when addressing female crime. Criminal activity can be influenced by societal variables such as exposure to violence, poverty, illiteracy, and restricted work prospects. Reducing female criminality and fostering their reintegration into society can be greatly aided by addressing these underlying problems through social support networks, education, healthcare access, and rehabilitation initiatives.

History Of Criminality Amongst Women:

The topic of women's criminal history is intricate and multidimensional. Women have committed a variety of crimes throughout history, but male criminality has frequently cast a shadow over their involvement in crime. It's critical to recognize that conceptions of women's crime have changed over time, with society attitudes and legal systems having a major influence on these developments.Women's roles were mostly restricted to the home in ancient societies like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, which reduced their potential for criminal activity. Nonetheless, there are documented cases of female criminals including theft, adultery, and homicide. Their acts were frequently seen as moral violations rather than crimes as defined by the legal systems.

Witchcraft trials emerged as a significant facet of female criminality during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Numerous accusations of witchcraft were made against thousands of women, frequently due to societal unrest, religious zeal, or superstition. Many of these accusations were rooted in misogyny and the perception of women as morally weak and susceptible to evil. In the 18th and 19th centuries, as industrialization and urbanization transformed society, women's involvement in criminal activities expanded.

Economic hardship, poverty, and limited employment opportunities drove some women to engage in theft, prostitution, and fraud. Women were often involved in criminal enterprises such as pickpocketing, shoplifting, and running brothels. However, it's essential to recognize that the majority of women during this period led law-abiding lives despite the challenging circumstances. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries,the suffrage and women's rights movements brought attention to women's issues, including their involvement in criminal behavior.

As societal attitudes shifted, women's criminality began to be viewed through a more nuanced lens. The temperance movement and the Prohibition era in the United States saw an increase in female involvement in bootlegging and organized crime. Throughout the 20th century, women's involvement in crime continued to evolve. Women became more active in political movements, engaging in civil disobedience and acts of protest.

Additionally, with the rise of feminist movements, women's criminality started to be examined from a gendered perspective, acknowledging the social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to criminal behavior. It's important to note that statistical data on women's criminality can be challenging to obtain and interpret accurately. The underreporting of female crimes and biased legal systems may contribute to an incomplete understanding of the extent of women's criminal involvement throughout history.

Female Criminality In India:

Female criminality in India, like in any other country, is a complex and multifaceted issue. While women generally have lower crime rates compared to men, they do participate in criminal activities, and it's important to understand the factors that contribute to female criminality in India. The methods listed below can assist you in comprehending the nature of female criminality in India.

1. Socioeconomic Factors: Women may turn to criminal activity as a result of poverty, illiteracy, and a lack of job possibilities. In an effort to survive or support their families, some women who experience economic hardship and social marginalization may turn to crimes including drug trafficking, prostitution, and theft.
    
2. Domestic Violence and Abuse: In order to defend themselves or get out of harmful situations, women who have experienced domestic violence or abuse may turn to criminal activity. While some may turn on their oppressors in retaliation, others may turn to illegal activity in order to become financially independent of them.
    
3. Crimes Associated with Dowries: India has a history of crimes relating to dowries, in which women are killed, abused physically, or both for refusing to give their in-laws the requested amount. In severe situations, women may turn to illegal acts—like killing or self-harming—in an effort to protect themselves or flee the abuse.
    
4. Prostitution and Trafficking: In India, there is a serious worry over the criminal involvement of women in human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking. Women who are poor, uneducated, and exploited are more likely to be trafficked or coerced into prostitution. Although the victims are mainly taken advantage of, their involvement in unlawful actions may result in criminal charges against them as well.
    
5. Violent Crimes: Women can be involved in violent crimes including assault, murder, or kidnapping, however they are less frequent. These crimes may be driven by personal disputes, revenge, or involvement in organized crime networks.

Conclusion
To sum up, feminist criminology is a vibrant and developing subject that provides insightful knowledge on the ways in which gender influences crime, victimization, and the criminal justice system. Its increasing notoriety is a reflection of the growing appreciation of the value of gender perspectives in comprehending and resolving issues related to crime.

Feminist criminology is expected to have a major impact on research, practices, and policies aiming at attaining justice and equality for everyone as long as societies struggle with gender inequality and violence. Speaking about female criminality also requires avoiding stigmatization or assumptions. Not all women commit crimes, therefore it's important to handle each case separately and provide everyone involved the support and justice they need.

Women's criminal histories are a reflection of the larger social and cultural environments in which they were raised. Social attitudes, economic challenges, gender stereotypes, and limited possibilities have all had an impact on women's engagement in criminal activity. It is critical to keep analyzing women's criminality within a larger framework that takes into account the intricate interactions between historical, social, and gender variables as society develops.

It is significant to highlight that due to differences in socioeconomic conditions, cultural standards, and methods of law enforcement, the prevalence and kinds of female criminality might vary throughout India. The criminal justice system in India is being strengthened, gender equality is being promoted, socioeconomic situations are being improved, and educational possibilities are being expanded in an attempt to combat female criminality. In addition, programs that empower women, educate people about their rights, and offer assistance to victims of gender-based violence can help lower the risk that women will commit crimes.

Implications Of Feminist Criminology:

Neglecting female offenders: The possibility of both male and female offenders was not taken into consideration by earlier criminologies. There's been a long-standing assumption that when we talk about "offenders," men will always be involved. Furthermore, every individual or biological issue was amplified by the discussion of female criminals.

They were explained in terms of biology. The way that feminist writing highlights the treatment of women in the country's criminal justice system is another significant impact. It has contributed to changing the antiquated and ambiguous assumption of "common sense" by addressing the historical notion that women benefited from gallantry within a culture dominated by men and therefore had more forgiving punishments. Domestic abuse and female sexual assault are two previously unrecognized concerns that have gained attention due to the advent of feminist philosophy.

The defense of women and girls against male aggression has been bolstered by female literature, which has also raised questions about whether victims or survivors should receive assistance. The extent to which criminal activity is gendered has come under scrutiny, raising questions such as "Why do female offenders commit so few offences while male offenders commit so many?" Due to the perception that men are more likely to commit crimes, these relatively low crime rates have been associated with femininity.

Whether It Is Righteous To Give A Feminist Perspective To Crime?

Every hypothesis has its share of shortcomings and potential critics. Criminology by feminists is not any different. We need to be aware of some of the things that feminist concepts leave out. that are: Crimes categorized as "underclass" and indicating "class conflict" are committed by women. The majority of women behind bars experience poverty. It's a common claim that separatists have a secret agenda and that feminist criminology is gender centric. Gender-based crime classification causes a divide between the sexes. This prejudice is completely inappropriate because both the actus reus and mens rea—the ingredients necessary for a crime to be committed—must be established, and the guilty mind cannot be identified just on a person's gender. It is important to note that in order for a woman to benefit from legal rights, she must also bear equal responsibility for any wrongdoing on her part.

The Unexplored Facets:

Developing ideas about women's social and structural responsibilities in society as well as their lives may be a very successful strategy for comprehending the paths that lead women to become criminals. In discussing crime and justice, certain feminist ideologies give gender greater privileges than racial privileges. It's challenging to deal with this in an effective way and acknowledge how it also skews our understanding of the main issues. It is commonly asserted that by applying a "gendered lens," we can better comprehend the features of problems associated to crime.

However, something that often goes unrecognized is that gender often distorts the clarity that has been purportedly enhanced by it. It is also worthwhile to debate whether we really need to address issues like those that fall under the purview of "feminism." Is it not feasible to develop a fresh, gender-sensitive, anti-discriminatory, and reflective humanist criminology? In and of itself, it is controversial.