National Training Workshop on Gender-based Violence Against Women and People with Diverse Gender Identity and Expression Who Use Drugs: Integrating Practical Responses into Harm Reduction and HIV Prevention and Treatment

28^th and 29^th of November 2024, Pretoria, South Africa. On Thursday, 28th and Friday, 29th November 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF), jointly with the UNODC HIV/AIDS Section in Vienna, facilitated a pioneering training workshop on Gender-Based Violence Against Women and People with Diverse Gender Identities and Expressions who Use Drugs. The workshop focused on integrating practical responses into Harm Reduction, HIV Prevention, and Treatment — an area requiring urgent attention in South Africa.

The innovative workshop was attended by 38 national stakeholders from across South Africa, including gender-based violence (GBV) and drug treatment providers, as well as representatives from NGOs and civil society. Notable participants included the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, along with key national departments responsible for the national GBV response, such as the Department of Women, Children, and People with Disabilities.

The workshop featured dynamic small-group and plenary discussions, focusing on the intersection of GBV with key populations, including women and individuals from the LGBTQI+ community, as well as those with diverse gender identities and expressions. Participants engaged in deep discussions about the unique challenges faced by these vulnerable groups, particularly in relation to substance use and HIV.

The training was led by Monica Ciupagea, Adviser on Drugs and HIV, Gunasekaran Rengaswamy, Regional Adviser on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, and UNODC consultant Julie Mac Donnell.

The event provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the rarely discussed issue of gender-based violence in the context of HIV and drug use disorders among vulnerable populations. A key highlight was the incorporation of the latest evidence-based knowledge, tools, and skills at the international level. The training was delivered interactively, with engaging discussions and problem-solving sessions aimed at developing meaningful solutions to improve the lives of GBV victims who are also living with HIV and using drugs.

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #888888;">Some of the participants from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, along with key national departments responsible for the national GBV response, such as the Department of Women, Children, and People with Disabilities during group discussion. </span></div>

Some of the participants from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, along with key national departments responsible for the national GBV response, such as the Department of Women, Children, and People with Disabilities during group discussion.

One crucial issue raised during the workshop was the marginalization of women who use drugs, who often face compounded stigmatization and exclusion, particularly within drug treatment services. The facilitators drew on their extensive expertise to help delegates develop strategies for addressing GBV, HIV, and drug use disorders at both provincial and grassroots levels. Participants recognized the importance of scaling up effective responses to GBV, especially for key populations, and agreed that this catalytic training would enhance efforts to tackle these complex issues within South Africa.

One training delegate said: “I have never thought about GBV interventions for women and people with diverse gender identity and expression who use drugs in this way”, and another stated: “This training workshop reminded me that we should not leave behind some of the most vulnerable key populations such as women and people of diverse gender identity in the HIV, GBV and drug use responses”.

UNODC was appreciated for bringing this important capacity-building training workshop to South Africa and the workshop was also seen as pivotal advocacy for these marginalized populations who cannot be left behind in accessing good health and achieving Sustainable Development Goals and other prosperity planned for South Africa.

UNODC will continue to work together with stakeholders to transform current intervention responses for gender-based violence against women and people with diverse gender identity and expression who use drugs and integrating practical responses into harm reduction and HIV prevention and treatment.

United Nations

UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa

National Training Workshop on Gender-based Violence Against Women and People with Diverse Gender Identity and Expression Who Use Drugs: Integrating Practical Responses into Harm Reduction and HIV Prevention and Treatment