The youth gangs of Central America's Northern Triangle are mainly comprised of men; nevertheless, women are present in multiple ways in the lives of gang members, either as mothers, sisters, girlfriends, friends or fellow gang members. This publication is based on the findings of an exploratory study of the role of women and gender-based relations in the inner circles of these gangs, examining the motivations of girls and teenagers to join street gangs, their experiences as women in these groups and why some of them decide to leave. The publication concludes with a series of policy and funding recommendations to international policy makers to ensure that that vulnerable young girls and teenage women who are victims of gender violence receive appropriate and timely interventions.