Harm towards women from men’s drinking: A global review of the qualitative literature
Ramsoomar, L Wilson, I.M Willoughby, B Tanyos, A Graham, K Walker, M Laslett, A
Ramsoomar, L
Wilson, I.M
Willoughby, B
Tanyos, A
Graham, K
Walker, M
Laslett, A
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Abstract
Background: Global evidence shows that men’s alcohol use contributes to intimate partner violence (IPV) and other harms. Yet interventions that target alcohol-related harms to women are scarce. Quantitative analyses demonstrate links with physical and verbal aggression; however, the specific harms to women from men’s drinking have not been well articulated, particularly from an international perspective. Aim: To document the breadth and nature of harms and impact of men’s drinking on women.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted of peer-reviewed qualitative studies that: (a) focused on alcohol (men’s drinking), (b) featured women as primary victims, (c) encompassed direct/indirect harms, and (d) explicitly featured alcohol in the qualitative results. Papers were selected following a non-time-limited systematic search of key scholarly databases.
Results: Twenty-nine papers were included in this review. The majority of studies were conducted in low to middle income countries. The harms in the studies were collated and organised under three main themes: (i) harmful alcohol-related actions by men (e.g., violence, sexual coercion, economic abuse), (ii) impact on women (e.g., physical and mental health harm, relationship functioning, social harm), and (iii) how partner alcohol use was framed by women in the studies.
Conclusion: Men’s drinking results in a multitude of direct, indirect and hidden harms to women that are cumulative, intersecting and entrench women’s disempowerment. An explicit gendered lens is needed in prevention efforts to target men’s drinking and the impact on women to improve health and social outcomes for women worldwide.
Description
Paper presented at the 48th Kettile Brunn Society Conference, Jhb, South Africa.
Date
2023-06-05