Briefing paper – Addressing gender-based violence against women and people of diverse gender identity and expression who use drugs

UNFPA joins UNODC in endorsing this guide on addressing gender based violence against women who use drugs. Successful prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) requires political commitment, leadership and resource allocation. A variety of policy responses to reduce GBV can be enacted including: ensuring criminal penalties for GBV, laws to promote gender equality, and reform of laws that increase HIV transmission risk, increased access for women who use drugs to domestic violence shelters, crisis centres and SRH care services, improvements to social determinants of health such as education, employment, social protection and housing as well as ensuring social inclusion and non-discrimination, empowerment and strengthening of community networks of women and people of diverse gender identity, strengthening harm reduction services ensuring they are gender-responsive and rights-based, supporting multi-sectoral coordination between law enforcement, health, social services, justice institutions and gender equity platforms, and eliminating harassment and other forms of violence against women and people of diverse gender identity and expression.

This Briefing paper offers guidance to policy makers and service providers on setting up and strengthening holistic services for women and persons of diverse gender identity who use drugs.