Gang Violence and the WPS Agenda: Analyzing Gendered Realities in Central America and the Caribbean

The New Agenda for Peace policy brief from the United Nations Secretary-General acknowledges that violence perpetrated by gangs and criminal groups, “even outside of armed conflicts,” threatens lives and livelihoods around the world. This acknowledgement has implications for the United Nations (UN) community, as violence perpetrated by gangs and other organized criminal groups is often treated separately from the traditional understanding of  “armed conflict” and its impacts. Yet, research shows that gang violence causes disruptions to daily life which mirror the challenges experienced during wartime. As noted in the brief, organized crime was responsible for as many deaths between 2015 and 2021 as all armed conflicts combined in the same period.

Analyzing the gendered dynamics of gangs allows for a better understanding of the tactics used to perpetrate violence against communities. Similar to armed groups, it is well documented that gangs and criminal organizations exploit gender dynamics in their organization and activities. These dynamics are pivotal in establishing hierarchies within these groups and developing tactics for their criminal enterprises. Notably, gender-based violence serves as a central tactic for gangs to exert control, silence opposition, and expand their territorial dominance.

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