Gender, inequalities and security in Argentina: can victims and offenders coexist in the same penal universe?

Abstract

Historically, criminal policy has predominantly centered on the male figure, rendering women invisible within both the realm of security and the threats they face. The intersection of gender and security has gained attention only in recent years. This invisibility of women in security is facilitated by a patriarchal system endorsing unequal treatment. While gender inequality spans all social classes, women from the lower strata bear a more pronounced impact, and this is because crimes related to poverty are more frequent among women. This article explores the interplay between gender and security in contemporary Argentina, particularly within the penal system. Our focus lies in identifying the women interacting with the penal system and experiencing incarceration. We reveal that many women involved with criminal law are not just suspects or perpetrators but, on many occasions, also victims of gender-based crimes and non-criminal violence, encompassing situations of discrimination and inequality. Consequently, these women may simultaneously be both victims and perpetrators. Starting with the victim-offender overlap concept, we critically analyze how these categories are fluid, exchanged, overlapped, or coexisting through various channels within the penal system. Nevertheless, the prevailing categorization tends to lean towards portraying them as delinquents. Employing a mixed methodology involving interviews, document and media analysis, and quantitative statistical scrutiny, this article provides a glimpse into the obtained results.