Abstract

Objective: this paper seeks to elaborate guidelines from a gender perspective for a new criminal policy on drug crimes, especially considering the impact that incarceration generates on women and their daughters and sons. Method: for this purpose, prohibitionist criminal policies in this matter are analyzed, and the effects they generate, placing special emphasis on the patterns of involvement of women linked to drug crimes. Results: the effects of criminal policies on drugs, apparently neutral in relation to gender, reflect the fact that these policies have led to an increase in female incarceration in a greater proportion than male incarceration, without incorporating specificities and needs of women, which deepens various vulnerabilities that women are exposed to due to their gender. Conclusion: through a review of experiences and international regulations, specific proposals are developed that, in this way, provide treatment with a gender sensitive and comply with international regulations.