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Gendered Approaches
Gendered Approaches

The adoption of a Gendered Approach begins with the recognition that men and women and non-binary individuals experience the world differently. They will face different issues, will have different prevalence rates, the reasons for challenges they face will differ and they will be more or less likely to experience certain issues just because of their gender or gender identity. Gender should be considered from the outset in the design and delivery of services and prevention initiatives.  

 

The Data Gender Gap 

Historically data gathered does not include gender. Gendered dis-aggregated data collection will give a richer picture of what is happening for men and women to be able to better support their differing and intersecting complexities. This is related to the Key-Theme Evidence Informed. 

 

The Gendered Lens  

Women face combinations of disadvantage at least as serious as those faced by men and on an equivalent scale. The number of women facing multiple disadvantage has been historically underreported due to a definition of multiple disadvantage that did not recognise the different experiences of women. It included substance dependent, homelessness and offending.  When using this definition 80% of those experiencing multiple disadvantage are men. Research has shown a new definition of multiple disadvantage that includes poor mental health, experience of interpersonal violence and abuse, homelessness, and substance use will show an equal split of disadvantaged experienced by men and women.  

There are strong commonalities and important differences in the patterns of disadvantage experienced by women and men. This includes adverse childhood experiences, living in places characterised by neighbourhood deprivation, often (but not always) poverty, high rates of social isolation and disability, and insecure accommodation. 
There are strong commonalities and important differences in the patterns of disadvantage experienced by women and men. This includes adverse childhood experiences, living in places characterised by neighbourhood deprivation, often (but not always) poverty, high rates of social isolation and disability, and insecure accommodation. 

At the same time, experiences diverge and disadvantages coalesce in different ways. Poor mental health and violence and abuse are particularly significant in the lives of women, and poor mental health and substance misuse in the lives of men. Responsibility for child care, and the loss of children, also mark women’s experiences as different. There are also important insights into severe disadvantages faced by BAME women and by women who do not live in poverty.  

Four images, image one: woman holding her knees and thinking deeply. Image two: hand crushing house. Image three: woman hugging house. Image four: someone building a house with building blocks. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence. In 2019/20 there were 62,907 Domestic Abuse Incidents recorded by Police Scotland. In 82% of the incidents there was a female victim and male perpetrator. Women who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse are three times more likely to be substance dependent than non-abused women. 
Four images, image one: woman holding her knees and thinking deeply. Image two: hand crushing house. Image three: woman hugging house. Image four: someone building a house with building blocks. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence. In 2019/20 there were 62,907 Domestic Abuse Incidents recorded by Police Scotland. In 82% of the incidents there was a female victim and male perpetrator. Women who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse are three times more likely to be substance dependent than non-abused women. 

The different context and barriers faced by women using substances highlights the need for a Gendered Approach to service provision to break down gender specific barriers to getting support.