Women and Criminal Law: An Intersectional Analysis of GenderedPathways, Victimization and Sentencing Disparities
Keywords:
women, criminal law, gender, sentencing, feminist criminology, intersectionalityAbstract
The relationship between women and criminal law has been a focal point of criminological inquiry for more than a century. Drawing on feminist theory, intersectionality, and empirical research, this article examines how gender shapes both the commission of crime and the administration of justice. The review synthesizes findings on female offending patterns, victimization, sentencing disparities, and the influence of intersecting identities such as race, class, and sexuality. It also evaluates recent policy reforms aimed at reducing gender bias and discusses directions for future research. The analysis underscores the necessity of integrating gendersensitive frameworks into legal doctrine, practice, and scholarship.
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