Understanding Addiction: The Importance of a Gendered Approach
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the estimated number of people grappling with addiction globally increased from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2021, which equates to 5.8 per cent of the global population aged 15–64 (UNODC, 2023). Addiction manifests differently in men and women, due to various social, biological, and psychological factors (Mendrek, 2014). Thus, understanding addiction through a gendered lens and intersectional feminist perspective reveals unique challenges and needs faced by women. For instance, women face significant stigma and socio-economic disadvantages compared to their male counterparts. These women are often caught in a cycle of substance use intertwined with experiences of physical and sexual abuse, co-occurring mental disorders, and complex familial dynamics (EMCDDA, n.d.).
One critical aspect of addiction among women is the heightened stigma they face. Society tends to view women who use drugs as failing in their roles as caregivers and mothers, leading to intense guilt and shame. This stigma often discourages women from seeking help, exacerbating their condition. Discriminatory attitudes within treatment services further deter women from accessing the support they need, making it crucial for these services to adopt more inclusive and supportive approaches tailored to women's experiences. For instance, a mother struggling with addiction may be judged more harshly than a father in the same situation.
Economic challenges also disproportionately affect women with addiction issues. With generally lower employment rates and incomes, women find it more difficult to afford drug treatment. Experiences of violence and trauma are also more prevalent among women with addiction issues. Many women have histories of sexual and physical abuse, which are closely linked to their substance use. These traumatic experiences often lead to mental health disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which can further complicate addiction treatment (Mendrek, 2014).
Moreover, certain sub-groups of women face additional challenges and require specialized responses. Pregnant and parenting women, women involved in sex work, those from ethnic minorities, and women in prison represent particularly vulnerable populations. These groups often experience complex stigma and violence, necessitating targeted interventions that consider their unique circumstances. For example, pregnant women need prenatal care integrated with addiction treatment, while women in prison require support systems that continue post-incarceration to ensure a successful reintegration into society.
Women who use drugs often face unique challenges in terms of social support compared to their male counterparts (EMCDDA, n.d.). One significant factor is their higher likelihood of coming from families with substance use problems, which can create an environment where drug use is normalized and support systems are weakened. Additionally, women are more likely to have partners who also use drugs, further complicating their situation (EMCDDA, n.d.). The presence of drug-using partners significantly impacts women's addiction trajectories. These partners can influence the initiation, continuation, and relapse into drug use, as well as exposure to blood-borne infections and violence. The fear of losing these relationships can deter women from seeking treatment.
The following section sheds light on the complexities of addiction among African women through three distinct examples: Agadez City in Nigeria, Mogadishu city in Somalia, and in South Africa (UN South Africa, 2022).
The case of women in west Africa: Agadez city – Niger
In Agadez, a city in Niger known for being a transit point to Europe, women trapped in sex work are increasingly turning to crack cocaine to escape the harsh realities of their lives. These women, often migrants, are coerced into sex work to pay off transportation debts (The Guardian, 2024). The rise in cocaine availability has exacerbated their plight, leading to a severe addiction crisis. These vulnerable women are exploited by traffickers, passed from one to another, and continually forced into sex work and drug use as a means to numb their trauma.
The addiction crisis in Agadez is particularly devastating for women, as they are the most vulnerable and exploited group in this scenario. Forced into a relentless cycle of sex work, drugs, and debt, they find it nearly impossible to break free. The local health system is overwhelmed and unable to provide adequate support for these women. As a result, they remain trapped in a vicious cycle, with their physical and mental health deteriorating, and their hopes for a better future fading away.
The case of women in Somalia – Mogadishu City
The tragic death of a 22-year-old woman from an opioid overdose in Mogadishu has brought to light the growing issue of female drug addiction in the Somali capital (Fathi, 2022). Previously, people mainly used substances like khat, alcohol, and hashish. However, drug use has now escalated to more dangerous opioids, such as morphine, tramadol, and pethidine, which are alarmingly easy to obtain without prescriptions. These drugs have become especially popular among young women and girls. Another commonly used drug among young women is "tabbuu" a type of chewing tobacco that can lead to mouth and throat cancer.
Furthermore, the rise in drug abuse among women in Mogadishu is creating a silent crisis, made worse by the lack of proper rehabilitation centers and social support (Fathi, 2022). Many parents face the heartbreaking reality of their daughters falling into addiction due to peer pressure. Some parents send their young addicted girls to strict centers run by Muslim sheikhs, hoping to help them break free from drugs. However, the societal and governmental response remains insufficient in the absence of adequate rehabilitation centers. Small organizations are working hard to spread awareness about the dangers of drug use, but they struggle to make a significant impact. With drugs being so easily available and Somalia facing ongoing conflict and drought, the problem continues to worsen. As addiction rises, so do issues like crime, violence against women, and the potential spread of HIV, showing a desperate need for more effective intervention and support systems.
The case of women in South Africa
In South Africa, many women turn to drug use as a coping mechanism for dealing with traumatic and difficult circumstances. This dependency is often not for recreational purposes but to escape their harsh realities and manage pain, leading them into a vicious cycle of addiction. As their dependency worsens, they find themselves forced to engage in unwanted sexual activities to obtain drugs, exacerbating their physical and emotional suffering and further entrenching them in a cycle of abuse and exploitation.
These women frequently experience profound isolation and a lack of support, despite being surrounded by others. They express a strong desire for companionship and understanding, particularly from other women who could empathize with their experiences of abuse and depression.
A United Nations report highlights numerous struggles faced by women who use drugs in South Africa, including severe social stigma, denial of essential health services, and extreme levels of sexual violence and rights violations (UN South Africa, 2022). They often face physical violence during law enforcement raids, forced removals, and coercion into providing sexual favors to officers. Economic hardships push many women to resort to sex work under exploitative conditions, where they face further violence and exploitation.
By addressing addiction through an intersectional gender lens, interventions can empower women to reclaim agency over their lives, rebuild their self-esteem, and reintegrate into their communities with dignity. This approach not only improves their individual well-being but also contributes to broader societal stability and development by reducing the cycles of exploitation and poverty caused by drug addiction. Thus, investing in gender-sensitive interventions is not just a matter of equity but a pathway towards sustainable recovery and empowerment for these women.
References:
EMCDDA. (n.d.). Gender and drugs. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/topics/gender-and-drugs_en
Fathi, M. A. (2022). Somalia’s opioid overdose: Young, female and addicted. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64032267
Mendrek, A. (2014). Are there any sex/gender differences in drug use and drug addiction? Sante Mentale Au Quebec, 39(2), 57–74.
The Guardian. (2024). A cycle of debt, sex work and cocaine: The women in west Africa caught in Europe’s drugs trail | Global development. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/ng-interactive/2024/jun/14/a-cycle-of-debt-sex-work-and-cocaine-the-women-in-west-africa-caught-in-europes-drugs-trail
UN South Africa. (2022). Women Who Use Drugs in SA – Stories of abuse and despair | United Nations in South Africa. https://southafrica.un.org/en/104650-women-who-use-drugs-sa-%E2%80%93-stories-abuse-and-despair, https://southafrica.un.org/en/104650-women-who-use-drugs-sa-%E2%80%93-stories-abuse-and-despair
UNODC. (2023). World Drug Report. https://www.unodc.org/res/WDR-2023/WDR23_Exsum_fin_DP.pdf
About the author:
Rajaa Faizadi is a dedicated young social worker deeply committed to a gender-sensitive approach and the human rights based approach.She passionately believes in creating a world where every individual, regardless of their gender ,background or circumstances, has equal access to opportunities and rights. Currently in her second year as a student researcher at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Mohammed 5 in Rabat, Morocco, she is pursuing a master's degree in Integration and Education of Youth and Children Facing Difficulties.
