The Dangers of Being a Female Migrant in the Darién Gap

19.06.2023

Ilona Barrero

The Darién Gap represents one of the most dangerous crossings in a highly treacherous migration route. Sitting in the dense jungle between the border of Colombia and Panamá, the Darién Gap is an extremely remote, roadless, and unprotected stretch of land which exists as the only overland path to connect South to Central America^[1]Roy, D. (2022, June 22). Crossing the Darien Gap: Migrants Risk Death on the Journey to the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations. … Continue reading. Up until recently, the Darién Gap was hardly a concentrated point of mass human traffic because of its treacherous terrain and violence at the hand of criminal groups. However, rising instability in nations like Haiti and Venezuela have turned the Darién Gap from a last resort to the only resort for thousands of migrants attempting to reach the United States through land. A large percentage of these migrants are women, who often travel with young children and face a myriad of gendered challenges^[2]International Organization for Migration. (2021, January 17). Number of Migrants Who Embarked on the Dangerous Darien Gap Route Nearly Doubled in 2022. International Organization for Migration. … Continue reading. Increasingly vulnerable to sexual and labor exploitation while carrying the added burden of childcare with no official protections, women crossing the Darién Gap are systematically forgotten and exploited in their quest for economic stability, political protection, or safety from violence. This paper will explore the gendered dynamics of migration through the Darién Gap through the following question: How does the lawlessness and remoteness of the Darién Gap make female migrants especially vulnerable to violence, exploitation and health risks when crossing it?

The Gendered Nature of Migration Through the Darién Gap

As reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), gender is a large motivator for migration, especially for those fleeing conflict, harsh climate or living conditions, or abusive environments^[3]IOM. (2019, March 8). GENDER AND MIGRATION. International Organization for Migration. https://www.iom.int/gender-and-migration. When cultural or political practices in certain countries are discriminatory towards women, their capacity to contribute to society is hindered, and they lack opportunities in their home countries. In Latin America, many women migrate with the purpose of responding to gender-specific labor demands poised in patriarchal hierarchies, such as the traditionally-female nanny or domestic worker^[4]World Survey on the Role of Women in Development. (2004). WOMEN AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION. https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/events/coordination/3/docs/P01_DAW.pdf. According to UNICEF, migrant women and adolescent girls in this region represent the most vulnerable groups along these migratory routes, and their needs tend to become invisible because they are less likely to seek help and support, and very little information about the challenges they face is collected^[5]UNICEF. (n.d.). Migration and Gender | UNICEF. Www.unicef.org. https://www.unicef.org/lac/en/migration-and-gender. In 2022, the number of Latino migrants crossing the Darién nearly doubled from 2021, with over 250,000 people crossing from Colombia into Panamá^[6]International Organization for Migration. (2021, January 17). Number of Migrants Who Embarked on the Dangerous Darien Gap Route Nearly Doubled in 2022. International Organization for Migration. … Continue reading. The IOM estimates that about 28% of those were women, with an additional 16% being children and adolescents^[7]International Organization for Migration. (2021, January 17). Number of Migrants Who Embarked on the Dangerous Darien Gap Route Nearly Doubled in 2022. International Organization for Migration. … Continue reading. Furthermore, an estimated 22% of women traveled with children, in comparison to 9% of men^[8]International Organization for Migration. (2021, January 17). Number of Migrants Who Embarked on the Dangerous Darien Gap Route Nearly Doubled in 2022. International Organization for Migration. … Continue reading.

The majority of immigrants are people of color originating mainly from Venezuela, and Haiti, with many Cubans and Ecuadorians as well^[9]Roy, D. (2022, June 22). Crossing the Darien Gap: Migrants Risk Death on the Journey to the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations. … Continue reading. The long history of structural racism and inequality in Latin America means that most of the women that migrate are of indigenous or Afro-latin descent, and are in precarious economic conditions, placing them in further vulnerable situations.

In highly misogynistic societies such as the ones in South America, women play an integral role in structures of household maintenance, especially in the sphere of childcare. Since these women are often burdened as sole providers for childcare in their home countries, they face further vulnerabilities when caring for their children while crossing the Darién Gap. This ties in to one of the largest gender discrepancies in this migratory route: healthcare disparities. Women and children were particularly vulnerable to health issues while crossing the Darién Gap, as 77% of parents interviewed by the IOM reported that their infants had suffered from infections, gastrointestinal issues, rashes, and fevers^[10]Fonseca, E., Aragón, E., & Ross, C. (2019). EXTRAREGIONAL MIGRATION IN THE AMERICAS: PROFILES, EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS. International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for Central … Continue reading. This means that women, who are the majority of migrants traveling with children, also have to deal with their child falling ill during their journey, adding the danger of falling behind their travel group. Migrant women also cited an extreme need for personal hygiene products in their journey, and at reception centers in Panama^[11]Fonseca, E., Aragón, E., & Ross, C. (2019). EXTRAREGIONAL MIGRATION IN THE AMERICAS: PROFILES, EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS. International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for Central … Continue reading. In a study published by the Frontiers in Reproductive Health Journal, the researchers found that women crossing the Darién are in need of accessible methods of contraception, as the ones that were sexually active during their journey had no way to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy^[12]Jennifer Toller Erausquin, Sánchez, J., Anyi Yu Pon, Jhangimal, M., Millender, E., Yudith Peña, Ng, W., Reina, A., Nakad, C., Quintana, J., Roberto Herrera Veces, Vistica G, Justo Pinzón-Espinosa, … Continue reading. Moreover, high rates of sexually transmitted infections and diseases and urinary tract infections in women illustrate the lack of access to proper reproductive health resources during their journey through the Darién and upon their arrival in Panama. This study highlights the need for simple tools handed out throughout women’s journeys in the Darién and upon their arrival in Panama, that can go a long way in protecting their health, such as providing testing kits for HIV and syphilis, and handing out contraceptives^[13]Jennifer Toller Erausquin, Sánchez, J., Anyi Yu Pon, Jhangimal, M., Millender, E., Yudith Peña, Ng, W., Reina, A., Nakad, C., Quintana, J., Roberto Herrera Veces, Vistica G, Justo Pinzón-Espinosa, … Continue reading.

No Man’s Land: Gangs and Armed Groups in the Darién Gap

One of the most important reasons that the Darién Gap represents a dangerous part of migrants’ journeys is not only how physically removed it is from urbanized society, but because of the everlasting presence of armed groups in the area. Neither the Colombian or Panameñan governments have a strong presence in the Darién, creating a potent governance and power vacuum that gangs and illegal armed groups have taken advantage of in order to exploit vulnerable migrants transiting through the region. The Darién Gap has been a favored drug trafficking route for Colombian armed groups such as the former FARC and other paramilitaries, meaning that migrants are vulnerable to being attacked at any moment during their journey^[14]Appleby, P. (2022, November 24). How Organized Crime Profits from Migrant Flow Across Colombia’s Darién Gap. InSight Crime. … Continue reading. Other groups, such as the right-wing paramilitary Clan Del Golfo, holds complete control over the Colombian side of the Darién, almost completely eliminating Colombian law enforcement presence^[15]Yates, C. (2023, May 15). Why the Darién Gap needs more attention than ever. The New Humanitarian. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/interview/2023/05/15/qa-why-darien-gap-needs-more-attention-ever. Since the Darién is controlled by decentralized dissidences of the FARC and large armed groups like Clan del Golfo, these criminal groups are the only semblance of structure migrants have when hoping to survive their journey through the Gap. Migrant groups hire locals as guides who promise to transport them safely to Panamá, at a hefty price ranging from 70-150 USD, of which armed groups charge a percentage of each payment made to the guides. Moreover, many of these guides are local indigenous people who are under threat of violence by these armed groups. For many women traveling by themselves or with children, the prices are too expensive, which is when criminal groups request sexual favors as payment instead^[16]Appleby, P. (2022, November 24). How Organized Crime Profits from Migrant Flow Across Colombia’s Darién Gap. InSight Crime. … Continue reading. Respondents of a survey by the Mixed Migration Centre also reported that in their many encounters with armed groups while crossing the Darién, it became difficult to differentiate between large organized armed groups and common criminals, making them more vulnerable to repeated extortion throughout their journey^[17]Mixed Migration Centre. (2022). Safety risks in the Darien Gap and assistance needed among refugees and migrants. … Continue reading.

The presence of armed groups in the Darién Gap, most notably the Clan del Golfo, greatly endangers migrants attempting to cross the porous border between Colombia and Panama, especially for women, both local and international. Threats from the paramilitary group force indigenous women to abandon their agricultural labor and act as guides for migrants, or as mules to transport drugs across the border. Although these women are local, many are forced to become unpaid laborers in the drug industry and forced to migrate themselves^[18]Mattson, S. (2010, May 26). Panama’s Darien teems with FARC drug runners. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-panama-drugs-idUSTRE64P01720100526. Since these groups act as the governance entity in this region, female migrants have to obey instructions and sexual advances if they wish to come out of their journey alive.

Gendered Challenges in Crossing the Darién Gap: Sexual Violence and Exploitation

Sexual violence against women migrants crossing the Darién Gap is incredibly widespread, and as mentioned previously, the prevalence of armed groups has institutionalized this type of violence. Accounts from Doctors Without Borders showed extremely high levels of brutality and sexual aggression to female migrants by the criminal groups who control the migratory routes of the Darién Gap^[19]Fernández, B. (19 C.E., March). Rape as a weapon of war against asylum seekers. Www.aljazeera.com. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/3/19/rape-as-a-weapon-in-the-war-on-asylum-seekers. Sexual aggression against migrant women in the Darién Gap is an endemic problem, but there are no concrete numbers or rates available due to fear of reporting and lack of resources to be reported to. A doctor that was interviewed in early 2023 explained that the landscape of sexual aggression in the Darién Gap is extremely complex and calculated. Sexual violence does not exist as sporadic and rare event, but rather as a highly organized weapon of intimidation and humiliation targeted towards migrant women. For example, armed assailants often conduct “body checks” on all migrants, and single out women to rape as they please. Rape is used as a tool against women to create an “Other” of the migrant in order to dehumanize them, regardless of their national origin. This is done to solidify the power structures within armed groups and establish their dominance^[20]Fernández, B. (19 C.E., March). Rape as a weapon of war against asylum seekers. Www.aljazeera.com. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/3/19/rape-as-a-weapon-in-the-war-on-asylum-seekers. Sexual assault is used as a terrorizing tactic against migrant women throughout their journey crossing the Darién Gap. Women who have less financial resources than other migrants are especially vulnerable, since they also face risk of sexual assault if they have no form of payment at different points controlled by migrant smuggling criminal organizations.

In the same study mentioned previously published by Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 54% of the women studied reported feeling unsafe from sexual assault while crossing the Darién Gap^[21]Jennifer Toller Erausquin, Sánchez, J., Anyi Yu Pon, Jhangimal, M., Millender, E., Yudith Peña, Ng, W., Reina, A., Nakad, C., Quintana, J., Roberto Herrera Veces, Vistica G, Justo Pinzón-Espinosa, … Continue reading. Reports on rates of violence vary in different organizations, but according to Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), 14% of female migrants who crossed the Darién Gap and received mental health services from them suffered from sexual violence^[22]Appleby, P. (2022, November 24). How Organized Crime Profits from Migrant Flow Across Colombia’s Darién Gap. InSight Crime. … Continue reading. However, regarding rates of sexual assault, Doctors Without Borders reports a worrying trend of underreporting these crimes. Migrants who suffer from these types of violence are threatened by the aggressors to keep quiet, and their experiences are often used as blackmail, preventing them from seeking adequate care and giving NGOs and governments inaccurate numbers as to how rampant the violence is. Since the criminal networks of these armed groups go beyond just the Darién Gap and seep into Panama as well, migrants have no way to know when they are safe from the threats or not^[23]Appleby, P. (2022, November 24). How Organized Crime Profits from Migrant Flow Across Colombia’s Darién Gap. InSight Crime. … Continue reading. The culture of fear, silence, and extortion prevents women from being able to fully tell their stories when they are most needed so they can receive the care they deserve.

Unfortunately, the violence does not stop in the jungle of the Darién Gap. Reaching Panama after crossing the Darién Gap is supposed to be the light at the end of the tunnel for migrants, but recent accusations made by the UN Special Rapporteur prove that sexual violence against migrant women goes further than armed groups in remote land. The report states that women and girls have been pressured to give sexual favors to government workers at national migration services in Panamá^[24]Oquendo, C. (2023, February 11). Un informe de la ONU denuncia que autoridades de Panamá abusaron sexualmente de migrantes que cruzaron el Darién. El País América Colombia. … Continue reading. The Panameñan government is heavily implicated in this report, as they are the entity that is supposed to finally provide protections and safe transport for these women to continue their journey to North America. Officials have been known to specifically target women who have been robbed or have run out of money, offering them transport only if they submit sexually to them^[25]Oquendo, C. (2023, February 11). Un informe de la ONU denuncia que autoridades de Panamá abusaron sexualmente de migrantes que cruzaron el Darién. El País América Colombia. … Continue reading. The inherently vulnerable status of migrant women means they are almost stateless people when crossing the Darién Gap. The lack of government protection and high concentration of gangs and criminal organizations means that women have little means to defend themselves if they want to make it to Panama safely.

Recommendations for the Protection of Female Migrants Crossing the Darién

One of the most important steps to take to protect female migrants crossing the Darién Gap is to mitigate vulnerability to criminal networks. Governments such as those of Colombia and Panama must remain in touch to communicate about their respective situations on their sides of the border to properly gauge the responses needed to protect migrants crossing the Darién. For example, regional collaboration from the Organization of American States (OAS), including the United States, could result in creating safe migratory routes for migrants. This kind of regional collaboration could create large humanitarian aid instructure networks to protect migrants from the activities of armed groups as much as possible.The history of the presence of Colombian armed groups in the Darién Gap is complex and nuanced. Colombia has been fighting an internal war with these groups for over 60 years to almost no avail. Ideally, the Colombian government would take over sovereign control of its lost territories along with the Panameñan government who also has a lack of sovereignty along the Darién Gap due to the presence of armed groups, but this feels almost utopian. In order to mitigate the immediate danger women and all migrants face, the Colombian central government should work with regional governments to establish safe routes along the Darién Gap. Furthermore, the government should collaborate with local and foreign organizations to provide humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and safe travel routes in order to protect the women crossing the Darién in search of safety and prosperity for them and their families.

Furthermore, local governments must collaborate with NGOs operating in the area to develop varying gender-specific legal frameworks. NGOs can provide valuable insight on what the most pressing needs are for female migrants crossing the Darién Gap, and governments have the resources to create infrastructures to respond to such needs. Some women migrate to seek political asylum and have high levels of education, while others travel seeking economic opportunities or to flee violence and have low levels of education. Furthermore, the reality is that most migrants do not successfully reach or remain in the United States. The current deportation system in the United States is abhorrent, and recently, Venezuelan women and children who crossed the Darién Gap were under threat of being deported to Mexico since the United States has no diplomatic connection to Venezuela. Therefore, a system of asylum camps must be set up across South and Central America to ensure that if women migrants cannot reach their final destination for any reason, their journey back is as safe as possible. Asylum camps working with organizations such as MSF and the United Nations are able to provide migrants with much needed medical and mental health support, as well as temporary shelter and nutritious meals before they decide how to continue their migratory journey. Reintegration policies must be tailored to the differing needs of each migrant once they settle in a destination. Furthermore, this kind of humanitarian aid must be gender responsive, providing services such as contraception, personal hygiene and childcare products.

The statements in this article are the sole responsibility of the author.

To quote this article: Ilona Barrero (2023). The Dangers of Being a Female Migrant in the Darién Gap. Gender in Geopolitics Institute. https://igg-geo.org/?p=13307&lang=en