Mujeres jóvenes en las pandillas salvadoreñas

(analytical)This article describes the results of qualitative research focused on the life stories of a group of young women with the objective of learning about their experiences as members of Salvadoran gangs. The participants were selected from a sociocultural project known as the Center for Social Insertion String Orchestra. The young women created their life stories through in-depth interviews and autobiographical narrative work, which facilitated the identification of four relevant results: the contexts of violence that defined their childhood; the motivations and meanings of gang membership for young women; the violence and gender roles they experience; and their artistic practice as a re-existence that allows them to resignify their lives. Keywords: Youth; women; gangs; life stories.