Women in Gangs
As part of a year-long research project with the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University, I conducted in-depth, on-the-ground fieldwork in Guatemala focused on the role of women in gang structures.
Gender Roles in Central American Gangs
I researched the roles of women within gang structures in the Northern Triangle, focusing on groups like MS-13 and Barrio 18. The study explored how domestic abuse, poverty, and gender inequality drive young women into gang life, often as a means of survival.
Findings revealed that women are typically assigned lower-ranking roles, face harsher initiation standards, and often serve domestic or concealment functions—though some take on operational tasks like drug distribution or intelligence gathering. The research also examined how traditional gender norms and patriarchal systems reinforce these roles and create challenges for reintegration.
Ana Lynch 