In its 2018 World Drug Report, UNODC acknowledged that the supply and use of illegal ‘narcotic’ drugs is now at historic highs, raising questions as to the sustainability and utility of criminalization approaches. Within the dynamic picture of ongoing drug market growth, the gendered impacts of both the drug trade and counternarcotic policies remains under-analyzed, most particularly as this relates to women and girls. International and national-level drug policy institutions have been tardy in their uptake and mainstreaming of gender sensitive approaches in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of drug policy. Similarly, drug policy scholarship has marginalized women’s engagement with drugs and the drug trade while women’s and feminist advocacy organizations in areas that include health, criminal justice, development and fundamental rights, have neglected to effectively engage with drug policy, the regressive impact of criminalization and enforcement practices on women and girls, or drug policy reform as a women’s “issue”. This four-day professional short course presents an excellent opportunity for policy professionals, advocates and academics to analyze and reflect on best practices, lessons learned and methods for improved gender inclusivity.
- Instructor: Giavana Marie Margo