Gender dynamics and ‘illicit labour’; exploring street children’s involvement in organised crime in Bangladesh and China

This paper explores the involvement of street children in gangs and organised crime. By drawing on fieldwork conducted in Bangladesh and Mainland China, the author considers the relationship between street children, the illicit economy, gangs and organised crime. The paper considers the ‘conceptual similarities and distinct differences’ between the nature of organised crime in each country. The article concludes with the following: 1) The need to better integrate children’s voices into discourse related to organised crime; 2) The importance of considering gender dynamics among young people who engage with crime groups; 3) The development of Pan-Asia understandings of children’s involvement in gangs and organised crime, to contribute to the advancement of Southern criminology and better protect vulnerable children in Asia.