When men drink, women and children pay the price

"Men's heavy drinking is fueling a hidden crisis affecting millions of women and children worldwide. The harms, from violence to financial instability, are especially severe where gender inequality is high. Experts warn that alcohol policies must include gender-responsive strategies to protect vulnerable families. They call for reforms combining regulation, prevention, and community action. 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,"

Men's heavy alcohol consumption causes widespread harm to women and children, including physical injury, emotional distress, economic strain, and disruptions to schooling and family life. Worldwide, as many as one in three women in some countries live with a partner who drinks heavily. Children in these households face increased risk of violence, neglect, poor health, and limited opportunities later in life. These harms are especially severe in low- and middle-income nations and in places with high gender inequality. Effective responses require gender-responsive alcohol policies that combine regulation, prevention, and community action to protect vulnerable families.

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