The Representation of Women’s Addiction in Policy Documents of Iran and the Future Vision

Soleymani, Somayeh; Serajzadeh, Hossein; Ghaderi, Salahedin

doi:10.22034/jss.2025.2047101.1876

The Representation of Women’s Addiction in Policy Documents of Iran and the Future Vision

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Somayeh Soleymani ¹

Hossein Serajzadeh ²

Salahedin Ghaderi ³

¹ PhD student in Social Problems of Iran, Department of Sociology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Sociolog, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

³ Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/jss.2025.2047101.1876

Abstract

Due to the higher frequency of addicted men compared to women, drug usage and addiction has been considered as a male phenomenon in the most societies. Thus, gender differences are neglected in this field. The present study aims to analyze the upstream documents and general plans and policies of the field of drug consumption, in order to attract the attentions to gender sensitivity.
Using thematic analysis techniques, this research is qualitative and examines policy documents in the field of narcotics and addiction from the years 2006 to 2019,
The results showed that as the proportion of female addiction and drug use and the sensitivity of the society towards gender equality has been increasing, gender awareness and sensitivity in policy documents of drug use and addiction has grown up. Meanwhile, policy documents has not been sensitive enough with regard to gender distinctions and in most of them gender differences are almost neglected.
As a result, women’s characteristics and distinctions have not been considered in the programs and projects planned to face, control and reduce the harms of addiction and to treat the female addicts. Thus, these policy documents themselves are an obstacle for a realistic confrontation with women addiction. Therefore, for a better performance of drug use and addiction policies and programs, it is necessary that these policies and programs be sensitive enough to gender differences. It is also required that special programs planned and performed for controlling and treating women’s drug use and addiction.

Keywords

Women's addiction

Policy documents

Prevention

Treatment

Harm reduction

Policy making

Representation

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