WHRIN have released this position statement on issues facing women and gender diverse people who use drugs as we mature, to coincide with Zero Discrimination Day March 1, which is a day for people to speak up about discrimination and movement for change. Events and initiatives focus on the rights of people living with HIV, the LGBTQ+ community, people who use drugs and more. Notably, the theme for 2023 is “Save lives: Decriminalise”, a critical reform imperative echoed in this statement. We add our voices to the cry, highlighting the needs of women and gender diverse people who use drugs as we mature.
Background
To draw attention to some important research, data gaps and core issues relating to aging, women, gender diverse people, and drug use, WHRIN coordinated an inter active dialogue (to watch the recording, click here). Subsequently, this position paper was developed drawing on the dialogue outputs and speaker feedback, as well as a brief desk review and inputs from the WHRIN strategic advisory body.
WHRIN acknowledge and value the rich diversity in physical bodies and gender performance that are a universal part of the human experience. People of all genders can become pregnant, parent, and feed their children with their bodies. Although all of the research presented here is presumably related to cis women, some themes may be generalizable to all people who experience menopause and others may be applicable to all who present or are perceived as women.
During the coordination of the dialogue and this statement, WHRIN discovered a paucity of research about drug use and aging, very little of which was gender- or sex-specific, and nothing at all about the experiences of mature transgender and nonbinary people who use drugs. WHRIN hope thisstatement will lead to research initiatives focused on the unique needs and experiences of elder women, transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people who use drugs.
