The project aims to provide psychological, social, and medical support to women who use drugs and are engaged in opioid agonist therapy program. It includes assistance in tackling emergency psychosocial issues related to violence, gender discrimination, and stigmatization.
Context
The humanitarian disaster in Ukraine during wartime has worsened the living conditions of vulnerable key populations who have become even further left behind. These populations have multiple medical, psychological and humanitarian needs which are not met. The war also caused an increased level of crime and violence, especially gender -based violence.
The impact is extremely high on people who use drugs (PWUD), who face bullying, discrimination, domestic and sexual violence. The project especially focuses on women who use drugs, as they have higher medical, family-social, and mental health problems, overall worse health conditions, and more chronic diseases, especially related to their mental health, compared to men. Women are more likely to develop drug dependence and less likely to start opioid agonist treatment (OAT). In this context, gender-oriented medical and psychosocial services to women with opioid use disorders, as well as female patients in OAT program, and access to prevention and care for PWUD are essential.
Description
The project aims at reducing barriers preventing access to prevention and medical services for women with opioid use disorders, female patients engaged in OAT and victims of violence of all gender. The project is implemented through various initiatives in order to improve humanitarian, medical, legal and social support:
- Opening five “Mother & Child” rooms in five regions of Ukraine, providing comprehensive psycho-social support and medical services for women in OAT programs.
- Opening a “Green Room”, providing qualified psychological, social and legal support to victims of violence (of all genders). The development and adaptation of a gender good-practice guide for gender-transformative approaches to HIV.
- Improving gender advocacy and capacity of partners in gender transformative approaches through training.
Impact
Reducing gender-based barriers to access OAT, as well as a HIV prevention and medical services, will enable more women who use drugs to be integrated and maintained into treatment. Ukrainian NGOs will have a higher integration of gender aspects into their programs.
