Women in transgression: why we still need to move beyond traditional gender roles in policy surrounding women who undertake substance use and sex work

Background: Female sex workers and women who use drugs are often framed as “bad” or “fallen” women. In Scotland, discourses that interpret sex work and substance use as sites of violence against women have dominated. This restricts the creation of adequate policy to support women, and recognising their agency, autonomy and identity. Methods: This research combines narrative interviews with women who use drugs, female family members of those who use substances (including drugs and alcohol) and interviews with women engaged in sex work in Scotland. These were thematically analysed to identify how women navigate their identities particularly as this relates to transgressing traditional gender roles in Scotland. Results: Sex work and drug use are seen as contradictory to traditional feminine roles and as such policy is constructed from a moral standpoint. Women are constructed as “housewives” and “mothers” with a focus on the caring role they provide for the family, or as victims of patriarchy and male violence and their multiple other roles are often downplayed. Conclusion: A paradigm shift is needed in discourse, debate and policy processes in order to enable women’s lived experiences to be heard and engaged. This will allow for thinking beyond a sole focus on risk.