Gender-Mainstreaming Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV Services for Women Who Use Drugs
Mr Alexander Fedulov, UNODC Iran Country
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UNODC Iran organized a three-day training workshop regarding "building capacity of service providers, programme managers and other relevant implementing partners and stakeholders in development and implementation of gender-responsive indicators, methods and tools; monitoring of HIV prevention, treatment and care services; and analysing and reporting of gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation data" on 13-15 November 2018 in close collaboration with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ).
The purpose of the workshop was to increase knowledge and skills in
- Design of appropriate indicators and setting baselines and targets for monitoring and evaluation of HIV services for women who inject drugs.
- Implementation of monitoring of the HIV services for women who inject drugs using appropriate methods and tools.
- Data analysis and reporting.
The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Mona S. Mahmud, UNODC consultant. The training curriculum was country-adapted in consultation with UNODC staff and local partners. The workshop implementation combined different learning techniques bridging theoretical knowledge and practice. Senior officials and experts from the Islamic Republic of Iran Drug Control Headquarters; Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education; State Welfare Organization and providers from different Non-Governmental Organizations participated in the training workshop.
During his speech in the opening ceremony, Mr. Hamid Jomepour, Director General of Drug Treatment and Social Support Department of the Drug Control Headquarters, emphasized on the need for expanding monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in programmes with the aim of improving the quality of widespread services. He further emphasised on the need to provide services for women as one of the vulnerable groups. He expressed his gratitude on the presence of specialists and experts in the field of drug demand reduction among the participants and emphasized on the role of field workers in providing quality services to affected population. He invited active exchange of views and experiences to make the training even more interesting and effective.
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 he wished everyone a successful and pleasant training and hoped that the training would help the participants feel more competent on monitoring and evaluation of HIV prevention and care programmes and services for women who use drugs.
During the three-day workshop, 6 modules were presented covering all core information regarding monitoring and evaluation (including its purpose, international guidelines, etc.) and monitoring and evaluation use in decision making and action planning. The theoretical aspect was combined with practical interactive group work, including role-playing, brainstorming based on current country-level situation and group presentations. The significance of data related to high risk behaviours and interventions among affected women were emphasized throughout the training. Also, the challenges and obstacles of efficient monitoring and evaluation of programs were drawn upon.
This training workshop was funded under the UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework channelled through the HIV/AIDS Unit of UNODC.
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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