UN must act on the disproportionate impact of drug policies on women — Civil society statement at HRC63

63rd Session of the Human Rights Council

September 2026

Mr. Chair,

I am making this statement on behalf of IDPC, Corporación Mujeres Libres Colombia, the International Network of Formerly Incarcerated Women, which brings together hundreds of women in more than 30 countries on 6 continents, and 5 other organisations.

Punitive drug policies are a leading cause of women’s incarceration, with devastating and disproportionate impacts on women, their families and communities. Women’s pathways into drug use or the drug trade are linked to gender and structural inequalities, including poverty and gender-based violence; deprivation of liberty exacerbates these conditions

Those of us with lived experience must be centered in shaping and implementing policy alternatives. We advocate for approaches rooted in care not punishment; and for channeling resources to programs that address the inequalities and trauma faced by women who are criminalized, that keep families together, and lead to gender and socioeconomic justice.

We therefore welcome the OHCHR report on the impacts of drug policies on women, and call on the Human Rights Council to continue to address the human rights implications of drug policy, including via the adoption of a new resolution on drug policy.

Thank you.

Signatories:

1. Dejusticia
2. Harm Reduction International
3. Elementa
4. Sisters Inside
5. National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls (Australia)