The participation of women in drug trade networks: life histories and lessons

Statistics from Brazil’s Ministry of Justice reveal that, in recent years, the participation of women in criminal activities has expanded dramatically. Women have been mostly arrested for non-violent offenses, in particular for involvement in drug-related crimes. High-scale revenues and numerous job opportunities have been attracting an increasing number of women to the drug world. However, restricting women’s motivations to engage in the drug trade to their social and economic marginalization resonates somewhat simplistic. Based on in-depth open-ended conversations, this research examines life histories of women who have experienced incarceration for drug-related offenses. The scope of this research is to contribute to debates about the level and nature of women’s participation in the drug world, and to explore the diverse factors that motivate women to take part in drug trade activities.