Today, we commemorate the 50th International Women’s Day and its theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”. In a world that is facing unique and urgent challenges, this theme is ever more relevant. This year, it has been 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Honouring this, UN Women published a report highlighting the progress in Women Rights1. However, it also highlighted the backlash in Women’s Rights. According to António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, “Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny”2. A trend that can be linked to decrease in democracy.3
Hence, we must act NOW, work together, and “stand firm” through a multifaceted and evidence-based approach, meeting with and raise above the misogyny to make “human rights, equality, and empowerment a reality for women and girls, for everyone, everywhere”.2 Women and girls should be empowered to be able to turn the tide and be catalysts for lasting change.
Empowerment of women and girls needs to be encouraged at all levels – also within prevention, treatment, and recovery. Historically, a gender gap has been present in substance use among men and women4. However, this gender has been closing, if not yet already closed among the younger population. Responses from a recent collaborative Youth Survey5 disseminated by WFAD have indicated higher exposure to substance use among females than their male counterparts until 23. With young women up to age 23 expresses higher vulnerability to mental health struggles, peer pressure, and economic challenges, while men report increased economic and social challenges at later stages. Not recognising this shift, directly impacts the ability of girls and young women to flourish. Hence, a gender-responsive approach as well as tailored interventions are necessary to ensure effective prevention and support mechanisms.
The closing gender gap in use is not mirrored in treatment as women continue to be underrepresented. In 2022, only 1 in 18 women received treatment required6. Barriers to treatment include double stigmatisation, discrimination, and fear of losing custody of children. However, oftentimes, available and accessible gender-sensitised treatment is also lacking. An important aspect missing in treatment is trauma responsive care while its ignorance can hinder the ability to heal7. Research showcased that, while a vast majority of healthcare providers acknowledge the “significant impact of trauma on both the development and treatment outcomes of substance use disorders”, nearly 49% of centres lack comprehensive trauma training”8 nor do 69.9% of healthcare providers use standardised tools for assessing trauma or PTSD. Therefore, it essential, while expanding treatment opportunities for women, to increase our focus on trauma-informed services designed to meet the unique and individual needs of women entering treatment.
Today is a day to raise awareness on these issues while ensuring that initiatives and policy changes are conducted promoting rights, equality, and empowerment everywhere throughout the year. Today is only the beginning.
[5] The Global Youth Survey was disseminated between October 2024 and January 2025 and received 1145 responses (49.4% female, 48.9% male, 1.7% other) by youth between 15-29. These responses were the foundation of the Global Youth Declaration, which is to be launched at the 68th Commission on Narcotic Drugs (March 10-14,2025).
[6] https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR_2024/WDR_2024_SPI.pdf
[7] https://wfad.se/activity/news/day-6-recap-special-call-for-action-advancing-trauma-informed-sud-services-for-orange-day-2024/ [1] https://adiktologie-journal.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/08_2-2024_24_News_155-163_digital.pdf
[8] https://adiktologie-journal.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/08_2-2024_24_News_155-163_digital.pdf
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