A sweeping global review has revealed that men’s alcohol consumption is causing widespread harm to women and children, from violence and neglect to lost educational and life opportunities. Credit: Shutterstock
A new global review led by La Trobe University has revealed the often-overlooked damage caused by men’s alcohol consumption to women and children, urging immediate policy action in Australia and around the world to address these gender-related harms.
The study, titled “Harms to Women and Children from Men’s Alcohol Use: An Evidence Review and Directions for Policy,” draws together data from three recent systematic reviews that analyzed 78 academic papers.
Worldwide, as many as one in three women in some countries live with a partner who drinks heavily. Children in these households are also at greater risk of violence, neglect, poor health, and limited opportunities later in life.
These negative effects are especially severe in low- and middle-income nations and in places where gender inequality remains high.
The research, led by Professor Anne-Marie Laslett of La Trobe’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR) and published by the global nonprofit research organization RTI International, found that men typically consume alcohol more heavily than women and are more likely to harm others when they drink.
As a result, women and children bear a disproportionate share of the consequences, including physical injuries, emotional distress, economic strain, and disruptions to schooling and family life.
“Research shows that the consequences of men’s alcohol use extend far beyond the individual that drinks,” Professor Laslett said.
“Women and children pay a heavy price, yet policies rarely take their experiences into account. This is a major gap in international public health and social policy.”
Global data further indicates major differences between countries in how much and how often men and women drink. In many regions, these disparities make the impact of men’s alcohol use on women and children even more severe.
“Globally there has been poor recognition that others’ drinking, and particularly men’s drinking, contributes to many harms to women and children,” Professor Laslett said.
“Social, cultural and economic policies, as well as alcohol-specific policies, need to change to ensure that they are responding to the harms to women and children highlighted in this review.”
In Australia, the findings are particularly timely given growing national attention to domestic and family violence.
Alcohol’s role in driving partner violence has been recognised in recent government reviews, with calls to strengthen regulation and prevention strategies.
Australia’s Federal Government last year commissioned a rapid review that recommended addressing alcohol’s regulatory environment.
The review emphasizes that while proven policies such as raising alcohol taxes, restricting availability, and limiting marketing remain essential, they should be paired with interventions that tackle harmful gender norms and empower women and children.
An intersectoral approach involving health, legal and social services is critical for meaningful change.
Professor Siri Hettige, a researcher from Sri Lanka’s University of Columbo who collaborated on the project, said targeted, community-level interventions that addressed the realities faced by women and children were essential.
“Given the nature of the social context in which the harm to women and children from men’s drinking occurs, interventions to reduce such harms might have to go beyond current alcohol policies,” Professor Hettige said.
