Nepal: UNODC educates vulnerable groups in prison settings on HIV/AIDS prevention, harm reduction and social reintegration

Kathmandu, Nepal/28 November 2022: Under the joint Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF) mechanism, UNODC conducted an educational awareness program on harm reduction, HIV prevention, testing services and social reintegration for women who use drugs for female inmates and staff at the Central Prison of Kathmandu.

The programs were organised in close collaboration with Ministry of Health and Population, Department of Prison Management and the Prison Foundation.

During the sessions, prison officials highlighted overcrowding and health-related issues among prisoners as key areas of concern. Psychiatric disorders, HIV infection, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, sexually transmitted diseases, skin diseases, malnutrition are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in prison.

Prison officials called for more skilled-based training programs for prisoners, for better social reintegration and economic empowerment. UNODC experts briefed participants on gender-specific harm reduction programs and services for women who use drugs, and how they could be safely reintegrated back in the society.

As a guardian to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, UNODC seeks to strengthen countries' capacity to offer an adequate response in HIV and AIDS prevention and assistance for people, especially to the most vulnerable groups: youngsters and women.

This activity contributes to SDG 3, SDG 5 and SDG 16: https://sdg-tracker.org/

(Supported by the UBRAF Mechanism)