Women and Addiction as a Critical Public Health Strategy

At the 2nd Women’s Forum on Addiction and Recovery, speakers emphasized that strong societies are built on strong families, and strong families, in turn, are built on strong women. From this perspective, addressing women and addiction was highlighted as a critical public health strategy that requires serious attention from all countries. The forum underlined the importance of understanding the disproportionate impact of substance addiction on women, noting that gender-specific vulnerabilities must be recognized in order to develop effective and inclusive responses.

The event also drew attention to the deep-rooted stigma surrounding addiction for women, which has long subjected them to judgment, exclusion, and social marginalization. This stigma was identified as a major barrier preventing women from accessing the help and treatment they need for recovery. Expert speakers stressed that to address these challenges effectively and to promote gender equality in addiction treatment, it is essential to challenge entrenched societal perceptions and to recognize addiction not as a moral failure, but as a serious health issue. Doing so was presented as vital for improving recovery outcomes and ensuring equitable access to care for women worldwide.

Echoes of Art: International Green Crescent Cartoon Contest Exhibition

The Forum was held alongside the exhibition titled “Echoes of Art: International Green Crescent Cartoon Contest Exhibition”, which took place from 14 to 16 March 2024 also at the Turkish Center in New York. Visitors explored the 8th edition of the International Green Crescent Cartoon Contest, an exhibition dedicated to addressing substance use disorders and various risky behaviors. The event aimed to heighten awareness, particularly among the youth and society at large, encouraging reflection on addictive substances and behaviors. Leveraging the universal language of humor, the exhibition strived to promote public health. The primary focus of the competition revolved around themes such as substance abuse, alcohol, tobacco, and other risky behaviors, including online gambling and gaming.

CSW Paralel Event: Breaking the Cycle: The Nexus of Food Security, GBV & Addiction

The CSW paralel event titled “Breaking the Cycle: The Nexus of Food Security, GBV & Addiction” was also organized during the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

At the CSW side event, discussions focused on how intertwined challenges such as food insecurity, gender-based violence, and poverty create a complex web of vulnerability that disproportionately affects women and marginalized communities with examples from South Africa. Speakers emphasized that women’s extensive contributions through unpaid care work and participation in the informal sector remain largely unrecognized by the government, deepening existing inequalities and increasing their exposure to social and economic risks.

The event highlighted the importance of governments developing improved crisis response mechanisms to ease the burden on communities and ensure care for the most vulnerable populations. Ongoing psychosocial and health support provided through joint efforts, such as the collaboration between the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers (ŞÖNİM) of the Ministry of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye, the Green Crescent Counseling Centers (YEDAM), and Green Crescent Rehabilitation Centers, were presented as examples of good practice, demonstrating how coordinated, community-based approaches can strengthen protection, prevention, and recovery efforts.