Global mapping of harm reduction services for women and gender diverse people who use drugs
The global spread of harm reduction services continues to stall — a continuation of a trend first observed in 2012. Women are estimated to account for at least one-third of people who use drugs globally yet are consistently reported to have less access to harm reduction services and are at higher risk of HIV and hepatitis C transmission.
Tools do exist to enable harm reduction services to increase their relevance and reach for women and gender-diverse people who use drugs. These include resources on the use of a gender lens and gender mainstreaming in planning and service delivery. Services that have introduced such approaches are thin on the ground and where these do exist, it is often difficult or not possible to document and promote the approaches applied as well as impact outcomes. As a result, robust data on this subject is scarce. In addition, research on drug use and related health issues rarely produces information about women, gender-diverse people and harm reduction.
In this context, to leverage greater accountability from governments that have endorsed UN guidelines and resolutions around the provision of services for marginalised communities, it is important to document and promote such services where they do exist. By documenting successful harm reduction services for women and/or gender-diverse people, models can be incorporated, replicated, resourced and established. Likewise, service gaps can be exposed.
With this in mind, WHRIN undertakes surveys, community consultations and desk research to map gender-responsive harm reduction services around the world. This report provides a summary of regional findings as well as common global trends. Also included is a ‘living’ listing by region of relevant services with a brief description and links for more detail where available. WHRIN invites readers to add to this list - where existing services are not listed, details of services are incomplete or as links are updated.