Female

leadership In
Organized crime
Breaking Stereotypes, Rising
Power
 Research Question
How do women’s leadership styles
and enforcement strategies differ
from men and how does it contribute
to the overall functioning of the
criminal enterprise?
Sources
● Policy Report
○ OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) report on “Understanding of women in
organized crime.
○ This report sheds light on gender roles, the unique challenges women face, and how their participation
influences the structure and operations of organized crime.
● Real-Life Case Stories
○ InSight Crime's report on female criminal leadership and the use of violence
○ This report highlights specific cases where women have held significant positions of power in criminal
organizations. It delves into how these women navigate the male-dominated crime world and the ways they
exercise authority.
● Ethnographic Interviews
○ Allum study on the role of women in the Neapolitan Camorra
○ This ethnographic study includes insights from interviews with former female members of the Camorra and
investigates women's involvement in the group's activities, their roles in maintaining the family business,
and how they contribute to the gang's operations.
● Theoretical Frameworks
○ Work by Tregunna on “Women Godfathers of Organised Crime as presented by twenty-three
auto/biographies
○ This paper explores how these women rise to power, their leadership styles, and how they are perceived
within their respective criminal networks using different theoretical frameworks such as gender hegemony,
and gender role theory.
Findings and Analysis
I will analyze the case studies and sources that illustrate the differences or similarities in leadership and
enforcement approaches between genders in organized crime. I will explore the specific cases where female
organized crime leaders have played significant roles in comparison to men and what influenced their
decision-making, communication strategies, and organizational structures in relation to leadership styles. Then,
I will explore the enforcement strategies of female leaders in relation to how they manage conflict and maintain
power both within and outside the organization. I will assess the strengths and weaknesses of these specific
styles and enforcement strategies and then evaluate their impact on the operational effectiveness and
sustainability of the organization. Also, I will examine cultural and societal factors about the notions of femininity
and masculinity which are important for comprehending the behaviour and actions of both male and female
leaders.
My Contribution
Gender-based violence in Organized Crime: Gangs in El Salvador
- Background: Brief overview of gang culture in El Salvador, with a focus on prominent gangs like MS-13 and Barrio
18.
- Research Objectives: To explore how women navigate and respond to the dynamics of gender-based violence in
gang settings.
- Methodology:
- Interviews with with women who are currently or were previously involved in Salvadoran gangs. The
interviews can explore their personal experiences, the types of gender-based violence they faced, and how
they navigated gang dynamics.
- Expert Interviews: Interview law enforcement officials who have experience working with gang members.
These experts can provide broader insights into gang culture and the unique challenges faced by women in
these environments. Also, it is important to know how they perceive the roles of women in organized crime.
- Analysis Focus:
- Understanding how these experiences shape women's roles—whether it leads to marginalization,
empowerment, or complex duality.
- Insight into how women cope with and respond to gender-based violence, including mechanisms for
gaining respect and authority.
My second Contribution
Differentiating between victims and perpetrators: Human Smuggling in Columbia
- Research Objectives:
- Identify key characteristics and patterns among female victims and perpetrators.
- Understand the social, economic, and cultural factors contributing to these roles.
- Develop a framework to aid law enforcement and social services in differentiating between victims and
perpetrators
- Data Collection:
- Interviews with law enforcement officials, NGOs and victim advocacy groups.
- Analysis Focus:
- exploring the characteristics of Female Victims versus the characteristics of Female Perpetrators
- Exploring the implications of these findings for law enforcement and social services.