A survey reveals that 45.6 per cent women in the age group 18 to 30 years agreed to having four or more shots in just one session, which is way more than men

Women in Delhi are drinking more than men and not always for the right reason. A survey reveals that approximately 45.6 per cent women in the age group 18 to 30 years agreed to having four or more shots in just one session, which is way more than the men. But that was not all, there are 53.8 per cent women above the age of 60 years and 39.1 per cent women in 46 to 60 years who drink alcohol for emotional reasons. While 43.7 per cent women in the age group of 18 to 30 years consume alcohol out of habit or desire to do so, almost 41.7 per cent of them in the age group of 31 to 45 years hold the glass because of an occupational requirement or because of social norm. Of course, as with men, the bigger question is if they too are drinking responsibly.

Already among the world’s highest consumers of alcohol, India’s love for it is growing rapidly especially among women. Higher disposable incomes, changes in attitudes over alcohol consumption and the proliferation of an eating out culture have spurred the demand for alcohol. Women are no longer dependent on having alcohol in the company of men and are doing so while heading out alone or in a group. Thus expenditure on alcohol by women has increased considerably, especially among the working class and those belonging to higher income groups.

A public survey, launched by CADD on women drinking in Delhi NCR, was conducted for 90 days to understand the impact and reasons for rising consumption of alcohol among women. Some of the questions in the survey focus on understanding the changing psycho social fabric of the society which highlights the reasons for women drinking, how many drinks are consumed in one session? Are women binge drinking? Changing preferences of different alcoholic drinks? Are they drinking and driving? Are women consuming more alcohol than their male counterparts?

Out of the 5,000 women surveyed, it reveals that binge drinking appeared to be common among women these days. Monthly expenditure on alcohol has increased considerably over the last two decades.

According to road safety expert and activist Prince Singhal, founder of the community against drunken driving, “At Rs 2.7 lakh crore India’s alcohol market is among the world’s fastest growing. Globally 6 per cent of the alcohol growth is driven by India. Men and women are drinking a lot more alcohol as compared to the last decade. The rising affluence, aspirations, societal pressures and exposure to a different lifestyle altogether is driving women to experiment with alcohol.”

In Delhi, for instance, 40 per cent of men and 20 per cent of women (almost 15 lakh women) are alcohol consumers as per a report by AIIMS. And according to a study by WHO, between 2010 and 2017, alcohol consumption in India has increased by 38 per cent. It has increased to about 5.7 litres per adult per year in 2016 from 2.4 litres per adult per year in 2005.

Another intriguing fact, the survey reveals, is that wine and whisky are showing considerable increase in terms of preference among women. Around 51.7 per cent in the age group 18 to 30 years and 44.1 per cent women in the age group preferred coloured drinks and cocktails, while 39.1 per cent of them in the age group 46 to 60 years and 45.5 per cent women in the age group of above 60 years preferred whisky and other hard drinks. In fact, 31.2 per cent of women in the same age group preferred wine too.

Even after traditionally being non-drinkers for decades, the women’s alcohol market is expected to grow by 25 per cent over the next five years as per Centre For Alcohol Studies, Government of India.

There’s no denying the fact that mostly all social activities today are centered around alcohol and it is seen as a quick and easy social lubricant. And when everyone’s doing the same thing, it doesn’t seem like a problem. “Affluence, alcohol as a means of coping with modern day stress and ‘pinking’ of the alcohol market, combined with sustained messaging in films and on television that alcohol is the best way for women to relax and reward themselves, is all adding up to the rise,” feels Singhal.

An obvious outcome of increased alcohol consumption is drinking and driving, which has also increased among women in the last five years. The survey shows that more than 60 per cent women in the age group of 18 to 45 years admitted to driving drunk on one or more occasions. The trend was however, less visible in 46 to 60 years, where only 45.3 per cent women admitted to driving drunk and 21.4 per cent women in above 60 years. Nearly 37.8 per cent women in the age group 18 to 30 years believed that driving their own vehicle was much safer than opting for public transport especially in Delhi. The reason for drunk driving for around 34.1 per cent women, in the age group 31 to 45 years, was because they were near their homes post an outing. The report shows that drinking in bars or pubs and in social functions appeared to be quite common among women between 18 to 45 years, while doing at home was preferred between 46 to 60 years.

“Higher pricing and taxation which were seen as a deterrent to alcohol purchase have no impact on this expenditure and even more expensive brands are seeing a steady growth,” says Singhal.