Breaking the Organized Crime Glass Ceiling

[Trausti]

A Man’s world? Comparing the structural positions of men and women in an organized criminal network

Our analysis provides evidence for an ongoing gender gap in organized crime, with women occupying structural positions that are generally associated with a lack of power. Overall, women are less present in the network, tend to collaborate with other women rather than with men, and are more often in the disadvantageous position of being connected by male intermediaries.

While women seem to have made gains in organized crime, it appears they've hit a glass ceiling.

Even if higher proportions of women may be involved in crime than in the past, they may not necessarily be more powerful, influential or active in the network.

Thus organized criminal networks miss out on the benefits of diversity and inclusion.

On this view, the observation that women are both less present and less active in the network of organized criminals connected to the Canadian province of Alberta may reflective of a systemic lack of opportunities for women to participate in organized crime, or systemic constraints preventing women from joining the network. For example, women may lack opportunities to form network ties because they are excluded from convergence settings such as dive bars where criminal collaborations arise and crimes are planned and so they are unable to learn about criminal opportunities or become involved in criminal conspiracies. Constraints may include a relative lack of the resources required to be of use to criminal organizations, or a cultural perception among criminals that women should not or cannot participate in criminal activities. Furthermore, gender stereotypes operating in wider society may affect the positions of women in criminal networks.

This is a systemic and institutional problem that requires social justice.

 

[Trausti]

But there are some role models.  Enedina_Arellano_Félix

 

[Elixir]

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