This evidence review from La Trobe University highlights the hidden harms of men’s alcohol use to women and children. It synthesizes findings from 78 articles.
Key findings:
- Men drink more heavily than women and are more likely to engage in behaviours that harm others when they drink.
- Women and children are disproportionately impacted, often experiencing physical injury, mental health challenges, financial hardship, and disruption to education and family stability.
- Up to one in three women in some countries report living with a heavy-drinking partner, and children exposed to men’s harmful alcohol use face increased risk of violence, neglect, poor health, and reduced life opportunities.
- Such harms are most severe in low- and middle-income countries and in societies with high levels of gender inequality.
Recommendations from the report:
- Urgent gender-responsive and alcohol policy action globally.
- While proven policies such as raising alcohol taxes, restricting availability, and limiting marketing remain essential, they should be paired with interventions that tackle harmful gender norms and empower women and children.
- An intersectoral approach involving health, legal and social services is critical for meaningful change.
- Targeted, community-level interventions that addressed the realities faced by women and children are critical.
Recommended citation:
Laslett, A.-M., Ramsoomar, L., Karriker-Jaffe, K. J., Hopkins, C., Graham, K., Blackburn, N.,
Walker, M. J., Haugland, S. H., Tamutienė, I., Room, R., Greenfield, T. K., Gilchrist, G., Tanyos, A. S. B., Willoughby, B., Hettige, S., Waleewong, O., & Wilson, I. M. (2025). Harms to women and children from men’s alcohol use: An evidence review and directions for policy. Publication No. OP-0098-2509. RTI Press. https://doi.org/10.3768/rtipress.2025.op.0098.2509