Islamic Republic of Iran


Iranian female journalists illustrate the women's role in public awareness and advocacy.

The media and press advocacy are cornerstones of the civic society while playing significant role in assisting the government and non-government organizations in implementation of successful drug demand reduction, HIV control, and harm reduction programmes.

The UNODC programmes at global, regional and country levels have special focus on the role of press and media. We believe that the public awareness on drug control plays a pivotal role in countering the challenges posed by drugs, crime and corruption and an area that should be highlighted and supported under UNODC programmes.

In March 2016, UNODC Iran joined hand with the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries in facilitating the active participation of three Iranian female journalists at the Regional Counter Narcotics Awareness Workshops for Journalists in Bishkek. This was the second event of the kind followed by a similar event held by UNODC held in Islamabad, Pakistan in September 2014.

   Iranian participants in the Regional Workshop on Counter Narcotic Awareness for Journalists. The Bishkek workshop brought together journalists from the news agencies, media and press from eight countries of the region, namely Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The group discussed a number of issues including information sharing; building networks and future joint activities in the area of drug control and harm reduction, as well as the awareness raising campaign for the public.

The Iranian female journalists were from the local media, namely Jam-e Jam newspaper, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), and Drug Control Headquarters site.  The Iranian participants provided a detailed presentation on the role of the press in Iran and its advocacy role in the field of drug control.
The UNODC welcomes the active role that women could play in the region and in Iran for promoting the public awareness and women's empowerment in the area of harm reduction, drug demand reduction, and HIV control.