WHO alcohol guidance leads to backlash, calls of sexism

Jun 17, 2021

Alex Peebles Reporter

By Alex Peebles (Reporter), Ben Burke (Producer)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is receiving backlash for alcohol guidance the organization released Tuesday.

The guidance was part of the organization’s Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030.

“It is necessary to raise awareness among decision-makers and the general public about the risks and harms associated with alcohol consumption,” the plan said. “Appropriate attention should be given to prevention of the initiation of drinking among children and adolescents, prevention of drinking among pregnant women and women of childbearing age, and protection of people from pressures to drink, especially in societies with high levels of alcohol consumption where heavy drinkers are encouraged to drink even more.”

Some say the guidance amounts to a ban on women drinking, calling it sexist.

The WHO says it is trying to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol, including to fetuses.

Gwen Baumgardner: WE ALL KNOW DRINKING WHILE PREGNANT IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE PRETTY UPSET BY NEW DRINKING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
THE ORGANIZATION RELEASED A NEW GLOBAL ALCOHOL ACTION PLAN — WHICH SAYS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PREVENT THE QUOTE “DRINKING AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN — *AND WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE”.
IT’S THE LAST PART THAT’S DRAWING CRITICISM.
SOME FEEL IT’S SEXIST…SAYING IT’S THE SAME AS CALLING FOR A BAN ON DRINKING FOR WOMEN.

THE W-H-O SAYS IT IS JUST TRYING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL…INCLUDING TO FETUSES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE GUIDANCE? REASONABLE OR REASON TO BE UPSET?
LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.