Gender on the agenda – women and alcohol in New Zealand

Media release, 2 December 2013

Gender on the agenda – women and alcohol in New Zealand

A new policy briefing paper, being released tomorrow by Alcohol Healthwatch and Women’s Health Action, highlights the key issues for women in relation to alcohol use in New Zealand. 

Women are drinking larger amounts and more frequently than ever before, increasing their risk of a number of health concerns including breast and other cancers, injuries, reproductive and sexual health problems, mental health and alcohol abuse disorders.

In addition, women experience greater levels of harm from others’ drinking, including sexual assault and other forms of violence.

Director of Women’s Health Action Julie Radford-Poupard says gender clearly matters when you take a closer look at alcohol use in New Zealand. 

“We have found that women experience alcohol and alcohol-related harms differently to men.  Alcohol is contributing to increased inequalities among groups of women and this signals a need for more concerted action and different approaches.”

Alcohol Healthwatch Director Rebecca Williams says there are a number of factors contributing to the greater levels of harmful drinking among women, including changing social and economic conditions and a liberal alcohol policy environment. 

“Take our meaningless restrictions on alcohol advertising and absence of controls on the price for example. There is a pressing need to respond to these issues more effectively.

“We are recommending a range of population level interventions such as increasing the price of alcohol and restricting its marketing, as well as community and individual level interventions that respond to the specific needs of women.

“The upcoming review of the National Drug Policy is a perfect opportunity to facilitate implementing these and respond more effectively to alcohol-related harm generally – but also in relation to gender.

The policy briefing paper will be launched at an event held 10am – 12noon Tuesday 3 December 2013 at the Jubilee Room, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road Auckland.

The event will include a seminar presented by award winning journalist Ann Dowsett Johnston from Toronto, Canada speaking about her book Drink: The intimate relationship between Women and Alcohol.

Copies of Women and Alcohol in Aotearoa/New Zealand – Policy Briefing Paper will be available at the launch, and at www@ahw.org.nz or www.womens-health.org.nz.

ENDS

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