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Goddess Amani

More than 55 years have passed since the declaration of the “War on Drugs” in the world. The year 1961 was when the first special convention of the United Nations on drugs was held. Following that, in 1971, a conference was held on drugs used for psychoactive purposes, and in 1988, the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances was held. These three United Nations conventions, which have been signed and committed to by member countries, have not been successful in controlling the spread of drug use and eradicating its destructive processes.

In recent years, evaluations have been conducted on governments’ policies regarding the growing trend of drug use and its control; as these policies have not only been unsuccessful, but also have resulted in negative consequences. These negative consequences have had widespread effects in the world, including widespread human rights violations for individuals who have been arrested or lost their lives in connection with drugs, unjust criminalization of individuals who have become victims of addiction, harsh sentences for individuals who are economically marginalized and have played no key role in drug trafficking. This is happening while cartels and large drug networks continue to operate globally.

In order to effectively estimate the costs of the human rights violations in the war against drugs on a global scale, the relationship between laws and policies for combating and controlling drugs must be examined. Are there effective alternatives for implementing effective strategies to combat the spread and trafficking of drugs that do not rely on heavy penalties, execution, and physical elimination of individuals involved in this cycle? What economic, social, and gender processes are involved in countries that emphasize this approach of physical elimination and execution?

Has the number of drug users decreased in countries with a policy of no review or reconsideration for lower crimes? In countries like China and Iran where the death penalty exists, have the social problems and harms of drugs been reduced? Have the prices of drugs become more expensive or cheaper?

And also, do the policies of member states of the United Nations take into consideration gender perspectives in the field of programs and strategies for combating drugs, in order to prevent the violation of women and girls’ human rights in this regard?

The achievement of extensive research conducted in three countries, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, between 1999 and 2005 – a time when Singapore and Malaysia were imposing harsh penalties for drug offenses – was that during this period, drug consumption increased in both countries, drug prices decreased, and the magnitude of this problem in Indonesia, where the death penalty was not imposed for violating government policies on drugs, became even greater.

It should be noted that in the current political situation in Indonesia, the president emphasizes on the death penalty and out of the country’s population of 250 million, 5.8 million people are addicted. However, many experts believe that this policy of “preserving and protecting the nation” from drugs is only a cover for the president’s unpopularity and serves political purposes to maintain power.

The dominant discourse in the world today is based on three main principles: human rights, social justice, and public health. This discourse has emerged as a central topic in global discussions on drug control and prevention since 2008-2009.

In April 2016, the leaders of three countries, Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia, met at the United Nations and discussed previous UN policies for effective drug control in a special summit. Although the strategies of the UN and its affiliated institutions in the fight against drugs have not changed significantly, all member countries of the UN agreed that investing in public health, treating addicts, and providing alternatives to imprisonment and execution – especially for those who do not play a key role in drug trafficking and are tools in the hands of powerful cartels and global networks – can be effective.

Gender considerations in drug control policies

While men are the majority involved in drug trafficking, women often play secondary roles and become victims. The gender roles and power dynamics in societies around the world also contribute to this, as women who are caught in the cycle of drug use and trade are often deprived of the necessary social resources to save themselves and their families. According to the 2015 United Nations World Drug Report, for every three drug users, one is a woman. However, out of every five people seeking treatment for drug addiction, only one is a woman. This gap between the average number of addicts and those who have access to treatment highlights the lack of necessary social and treatment structures for female addicts, burdened by negative societal structures, traditional beliefs, and gender biases.

Women are also at risk of a process in the field of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Throughout the world, women who are caught in the cycle of poverty, violence, addiction, and drug trafficking are increasing; while most drug control policies are male-centered and ignore gender considerations.

Alongside the United Nations conference in April 2016 on examining policies for combating drugs, a roundtable was also held on “Women and Drug Use: the most effective and impactful methods in designing and implementing programs and policies with a gender perspective in the field of prevention and treatment.”

In this roundtable, Maria Neel Waiza, the Director of Women’s Programs at the United Nations (UN Women), emphasized that “gender equality and women’s empowerment must be taken into consideration when addressing and finding solutions to the global issue of drug trafficking.” She continued, “women’s involvement in the drug trade limits economic opportunities and puts them in a subordinate position in the political sphere.”

In fact, the cycle of drug trafficking, sexual exploitation, addiction, and prevention of irreparable consequences can only be addressed through large-scale government planning that takes into account gender considerations. Focusing on prevention, treatment, and social facilities for women, as well as large-scale campaigns to combat cultural aspects of misogyny, can be achieved. Combating drug abuse must also involve controlling its spread and providing resources for rehabilitation and returning individuals to a healthy life. It is not enough to just cut off the branches of a tree, the economic, social, and cultural roots must be addressed in order to truly combat it.

Women have increasingly been caught in the circle of drug traffickers. According to a report by the Open Society Foundation in America, the number of incarcerated women between 2011-2006 has doubled, with drug-related crimes being the main reason.

The American Commission on Human Rights also refers to this issue in its recent report, stating that drug-related crimes that lead to the imprisonment of women are considered first or second degree offenses, while drug crimes for men are classified as third or fourth degree offenses. Women are not the main players in drug trafficking and smuggling, but rather play supporting roles and increasingly use their bodies, including their stomachs and vaginas, for drug trafficking purposes.

Another aspect of drug policies and punishments is the impact on women as mothers, sisters, and wives of criminals. Behind every execution that takes place in Iran, China, Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries, there are families left behind who, although they have committed no crime, have had their lives turned upside down. They face humiliation, insults, social ostracism, financial difficulties, and mental pressure without any support from civil society or the government. They are forced to deal with numerous problems and may even become caught in a cycle of violence, addiction, and trafficking due to the lack of support.

Women, addiction, drug trafficking

In Iran, the trend of women’s involvement with drugs is in line with other countries in the world, especially Asian countries. A large number of female prisoners are in prison for reasons related to drug addiction and trafficking. According to government statistics, out of 7,377 female prisoners in the country, 60% are related to drug addiction and trafficking, while 12% are for theft and 10% for other illegal activities. A gendered perspective on these studies shows that drug-related crimes and trafficking are the primary or secondary reasons for women’s imprisonment at a global level. Non-political female prisoners have much less access to resources and face numerous challenges upon their release back into normal life. In Western countries and America, there are safe houses where female prisoners can stay for a period of time to prepare for their return to normal life. Civil society organizations and the public play an important role in creating suitable and encouraging conditions for the return of female prisoners to normal and family life.

In Iran, 1/3 of the population of 80 million people have registered in addiction treatment programs. This figure indicates a much larger population that is addicted to drugs (statistics in this area vary greatly). Iran has one of the most expensive and dangerous “war on drugs” on its borders, with approximately 945 kilometers with Afghanistan. Large amounts of opium and heroin are discovered and confiscated, but the flood of drugs into domestic markets and through Iran to European markets remains uncontrollable. Iranian women, like other countries in the world, are more involved in secondary roles in drug trafficking and in many cases are placed in unsafe conditions with police and law enforcement officials. Gender power dynamics in Iran and traditional mindsets and in some cases misogyny contribute to the “addicted woman” bearing a larger cultural burden. Addiction among women is less prevalent in rural areas compared to cities. In the 2011 “Epidemiology Survey,” the percentage of addicted women in cities was estimated at 9

The connection between the growth of AIDS patients and drug use is another aspect that is worth considering in a gender-based analysis. According to Health News, 28,600 people are affected by AIDS, which experts believe is only one-third of the actual statistics.

The first wave of AIDS was through contaminated blood, the second wave through addiction and injection, and the third wave through unprotected sexual relationships. The proportion of women without a sequence in the second and third waves is increasing and the majority of those affected are between 25 and 34 years old, which according to the definition of the United Nations, are considered young.

The decrease in the age of young addicted women is another warning sign of serious social harms for young women.

According to Shahindokht Molaverdi, the deputy for women’s affairs of the presidency, 50% of addicted women have started using drugs at the age of 15. Along with this alarming fact, there is an even more shocking reality that, according to her statements, 9% of male students and 11% of female students are addicted.

Social and support structures for addicted women are much less than those for addicted men, which is another social challenge for women to quit and move towards a normal life.

Fateme Daneshvar, the head of the social committee of the city council, mentioned in an interview that “when a woman agrees to quit addiction, unfortunately we do not see any camps. This is while sometimes there are children and nurseries alongside these women.”

The violation of women’s human rights in Iran presents a disturbing picture of challenges and processes of addiction and involvement in trafficking networks for women. The increase in violence against women, physical abuse, and in some cases, the killing of women, is another social affliction that the process of drug addiction among women in Iran and around the world is facing. Domestic violence and child abuse, as well as pressure and threats to provide for the family, often force women to experience other social harms, such as prostitution. Additionally, many women are drawn into addiction through their husbands, and in many cases, their children also suffer serious consequences.

Discriminatory family laws and the lack of supportive structures in the economic and social aspects for women result in many cases of exploitative and unhealthy family relationships; because society does not provide them with a healthy alternative and security.

In order to respect human rights in the fight against addiction, there is a need for multi-layered strategies with considerations and sensitivities towards gender and sexuality, with a focus and investment in prevention of spread and public health priorities. Government policies regarding the “war on drugs” in Iran should also be examined as a global society, as the failure of widespread executions in the fight against drugs is an undeniable reality today.

Despite signing international treaties and conventions, blatant violations of human rights in Iran have prevented the country from utilizing some of the assistance it could have had to combat addiction. This is because some European countries have cut off their support due to the high number of executions in Iran.

Support for women’s human rights, elimination of sexual and gender-based discrimination, and strategies and approaches that take gender considerations into account, so that it is not “male-centric” and pays attention to the specific differences and needs of “women addicts” in order to help them return to normal life, elimination of discriminatory family laws, and active participation of civil society – especially women – in finding appropriate solutions, are effective policies in addressing the issue of “women, addiction, and drug trafficking”.

Sources:

1- Human Rights and Drug Policy, TNI website, May 22, 2015

2- UN Women report titled “Gender Perspective on the Impact of Drug Use, Drug Trafficking and Pharmaceuticals”, July 2014.

3- Women and Gender in the War on Drugs, Drug Policy Website

Bringing women’s needs into drug policy making, UN Women website, June 23, 2016.

5- Report of the Women and Justice Conference in Washington D.C. titled “Women, Drug Policy, and Incarceration”, April 14, 2015.

6- Reasons for the use of drugs among women, Mehr News Agency, 5 Bahman 1392.

Lack of medical and health support and the increase in deaths of addicted women, Salamat News, 23 June 2015.