Addressing the needs of Women who use drugs on HIV prevention and care services
UNODC Iran organized a three-day training workshop on "Building capacity to implement evidence based harm reduction services for women who use drugs" 21-23 October 2018, in close collaboration with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ).
The purpose of organizing this workshop was to improve skills of harm reduction managers and providers to women in the city of Tehran. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Mahshid Taj, UNODC Iran Consultant.
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The training package is developed by the HIV/AIDS Unit of UNODC Headquarters in Vienna in consultation with WHO, UNAIDS Secretariat, UNFPA, International Network of Women Who Use Drugs (INWUD), Women Harm Reduction International Network (WHRIN) and The Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN) for governmental and nongovernmental organisations. Senior officials and experts from the Islamic Republic of Iran Drug Control Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, State Welfare Organization of Iran and providers from NGOs participated in the training workshop.
In his opening statement, Mr. Hamid Jomepour Director General of Drug Treatment and Social Support Department of the Drug Control Headquarters emphasized on the necessity of expanding services for vulnerable women. Furthermore, he referred to the present joint activity with the UNODC as one very useful step in improving HIV services for women, which is of prime importance for Drug Control Headquarters.
Mr. Alexander Fedulov, UNODC Iran Country Representative, extended his special thanks to the Iranian authorities for supporting joint events between UNODC and the Drug Control Headquarters and expressed confidence that the event would provide an excellent opportunity for participants to feel more competent in their professional daily work and sharing their knowledge, best practices and experiences.
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The training included various modules regarding harm reduction comprehensive package, need for focusing on women, considerations for key populations, mobilising women who use drugs, organisational capacity building, and prisons and need for continuation of services. It included both theoretical and practical components allowing for practice and utilising the learned material in daily work at both managerial and service provision levels.
The training workshop was funded under the UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework channelled through the HIV/AIDS Unit of the UNODC Headquarters in Vienna.
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For further information, please contact UNODC Country Office in Iran:
Tel.: (+98-21) 8887 8377-81
Fax: (+98-21) 88796700
Email: unodc-iranfieldoffice@un.org