Course

WGSS 230: Gender, Power, and Transnational Perspectives

Document Type

Student Paper

Publication Date

Spring 2026

Disciplines

Asian Studies | Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Psychology | Women's Studies

Description, Abstract, or Artist's Statement

Across global public health and psychology, addiction is defined as a chronic condition that involves compulsive seeking and taking of a substance. In Western frameworks, addiction is often treated as an isolated condition, where the individual is blamed for their actions. In reality, addiction is rooted in biological, psychological, and social factors and is more complex than an individual level. Looking at the Global South, addiction is prominent in Dalit or “untouchable” individuals in India’s caste system, who face exclusion from all forms of society, including education, work, and social experiences. Addiction among Dalit women in India, Bangladesh, and the South Asian region is not just an individual, moral failure, but a predictable response to caste oppression, gendered violence, and structured inequalities surrounding mental and physical health. Using Dalit feminist theory and transnational feminist critique, substance use emerges as a group issue, reflecting the response to a life of conflict.

Comments

2nd Place Winner, Long and Short Analytical Essays, 2026