BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
There is need to spare a thought for women who use drugs in Africa as they are disproportionately affected by several issues of society which leaves them more vulnerable, Tania Marumbwa, activist for the Community of People who Use Drugs in Zimbabwe has said.
Marumbwa revealed this during the recently International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) at the launch of the Harare Declaration by and for African Women who Use Drugs.
She said the obtaining situation was that African women who use drugs in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience inequality, violence, stigma, high exposure to HIV and discrimination from all sections of the society.
“Even where laws that protect them exist, the level of implementation is yet to reach the
desired level to adequately protect women who use drugs.
“It is therefore crucial that all relevant
stakeholders, governments, civil society organisations, and inter-governmental organizations come together in a coordinated fashion to increase the protection of the rights of these women.
“Women who use drugs in Africa have less social, psychological and economic support and are
more likely to have experienced traumatic events, such as sexual and physical assault and abuse
as children and/or adults and to be currently exposed to intimate partner violence.
“The experience of trauma can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health problems and can also increase the risk of substance use,” said Marumbwa.
She added that women who use drugs are affected in several facets of life including having difficulties to find jobs, which they need so as to live better lives. Marumbwa further revealed that as a result of finding it difficult to get jobs, economic burdens are heavier for them.
“Vulnerability experienced by women who use drugs pushes them to susceptibility to HIV.
“Women who use drugs are likely to share their injecting paraphernalia with more people than
their male counterparts, trade sex for drugs and have difficulties in negotiating condom use
with sexual partners.
“Generally, women who trade sex are more likely to experience violence and many have limited power to engage in safe sex or safe injecting practices, placing them at an increased risk of infections.
“Women who use drugs face significant barriers to accessing both HIV and harm reduction services,” said Marumbwa.
Marumbwa however said not all hope is lost, as they made a clarion call to African governments and all stakeholders for women who use drugs to be protected.
Some of the recommendations include; “for women who have experienced or continue to experience intimate/ gender-based violence; trauma informed treatment are recommended.
“There is also a need to ensure high level collaboration between the health system, community systems and justice sector to address all sorts of violence against women who use drugs.
“Sexual Reproductive Health Rights services for women who use drugs should address their wide spectrum of needs. They include cervical cancer and sexually transmitted illness (STI) screening and treatment and contraception to avoid unwanted
pregnancy.
“Services for pregnant women should include gynecological/obstetric care and
medically assisted treatment (MAT) treatment in case of opioid dependence.
“Support for parenting, including skills development/mentoring is needed and address childcare provision concerns.
“Support women who use drugs in accessing harm reduction services in a manner that is stigma free and a way in which services are available and accessible to them.
“Efforts are required to counter stigma and discrimination faced by these women. A range of interventions should be made available including MAT, NSP, counseling among others.
“The growing number of incarcerated women who use drugs face unique challenges that prisons and jails aren’t equipped to address.
“This means that “incarceration should not ever be an option for women who use drugs unless for other reasons”.
“Incarceration also has devastating effects on the families of incarcerated women who use drugs as it leaves lasting negative impacts on their children, and causes financial instability for their families as in most cases they are the sole breadwinners,” she added.
Marumbwa added that there was need to deliver services to women who use drugs in environments that are gender responsive, welcoming, non-judgemental, supporting and physically and emotionally safe.
“Spaces that are inclusive and safe for trans women and sex workers are needed. Services should be holistic and comprehensive, promoting healthy connections to children, family members, significant others and the community.
“Ensure the participation of women who use drugs in policy and programme development.
“This will promote gender-responsive policies and programmes by introducing and expanding
services and policies that meet the needs of women who use drugs.
“The leadership of women who use drugs should be deliberately sought in PWUID led structures and in other structures created to meet the needs of PWUIDs.
“Deliberate attempts should be made to assist in empowering women who use drugs both
socially and economically.
“Women who use drugs led CSOs should be funded to create interventions that will adequately address the needs of women who use drugs.”
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