Abstract
This article applies Johan Galtung’s “Conflict Triangle” theory—traditionally used to analyze state and inter-group conflicts—to the underexplored realm of organized crime, with a focus on gender dynamics. Centering on the Ascione Clan, a Camorra group in Italy, it examines the often-overlooked roles women play in perpetuating and challenging violence within criminal organizations. Through qualitative analysis of secondary sources, the study highlights figures like Antonella Madonna and the mother of Natale Dantese, revealing how women, typically seen as marginal, are central to the clan’s operations and power structures. The research illustrates how cultural norms, structural inequalities, and direct violence interact to sustain the Camorra’s patriarchal systems. It particularly traces Madonna’s transformation from a participant to a leader and eventual collaborator with law enforcement, showcasing the complex relationship between gender, power, and resistance. By extending Galtung’s framework to the micro-level of organized crime, the study reveals its broader applicability in understanding gender-based violence. Combining insights from peace studies and political anthropology, it offers a nuanced analysis of how gender functions as both a stabilizing and destabilizing force in criminal organizations, urging future research to further explore these intersections within non-state violent entities.