The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been accused of sexism after it said women of childbearing age should not drink alcohol.
In the WHO’s draft global alcohol action plan for 2022-2030, it advised women aged between 18 and 50 should be stopped from drinking alcohol because it may harm their chances of giving birth.
The plan says: “Appropriate attention should be given to the prevention of the initiation of drinking among children and adolescents, prevention of drinking among pregnant women and women of childbearing age”.
But the blanket guidance was criticised for failing to take into account women who are unable to have children or do not want them.
Christopher Snowdon, at think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs said the advice was “unscientific, patronising and absurd and "classic World Health Organisation idiocy", The Telegraph reported.
Matt Lambert, of the Portman Group, which represents UK brewers and distillers, branded the advice “sexist and paternalistic”.
The NHS advises that drinking alcohol, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy, increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and a baby having a low birthweight.
The Chief Medical Officers for the UK recommend that if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.
