Capacity Building: Practical Implementation of the "INTERLEAVE Toolkit"

Title: Capacity Building: Practical Implementation of the "INTERELAVE Toolkit" 
An Intervention Toolkit to Deal with Women* Drug User Victims of Gender-Based Violence

Introduction:

The study investigates the intricate connection between gender-based violence (GBV) and drug use among women*, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions. Key challenges include the non-integration of a gender perspective, service saturation treating drug dependence and GBV separately, weak support networks, social reintegration service limitations, and a general lack of financing.

Methods:

Comprehensive research involved an 80-paper literature review, two surveys of Women Who Use Drugs (WWUD) and professional staff, 15 focus groups, and 120 short interviews. Employing a gender and feminist approach, the study conducted a quantitative and qualitative analysis, revealing alarming prevalence rates of various forms of violence among WWUD.

Results:

Findings underscored dissatisfaction arising from being the sole female participant in mixed therapeutic communities, inhibitions in expressing sexual orientation, accommodation of violent men in specific facilities, reports of harassment by professional staff, lack of recognition for the connection between drug use and GBV, and a general absence of a gender perspective.

Limited gender specialists exacerbated challenges, emphasizing the need for comprehensive training for professionals in both specialized and mainstream services on the intersection between gender and drugs. The study revealed prevalent institutional violence among WWUD, necessitating improved intervention strategies in both mainstream and specialized services.

Toolkit:

The INTERELAVE Toolkit aims to provide practical guidance for implementing sensitive strategies concerning GBV and WWUD within therapeutic concepts. The toolkit anticipates a long-term positive impact, including enhanced quality standards, policies, practices, and the dissemination of guidelines and studies. The toolkit targets policymakers, staff and professionals, directors and management, and peers and clients.

Tools: The toolkit includes various tools:

Self-assessment tests for organizational and program management

Action plans, checklists, and mapping resources

Tools for mapping networks and conducting target group interviews

A systematic approach for policymakers

An orientation helper for clients and peers

Discussion:

The workshop aims to engage participants in the practical elaboration of toolkit implementation across various fields such as treatment, prevention, harm reduction but also policy making. To achieve this, the workshop leverages diverse and multifaceted tools within the toolkit, providing practical solutions and guidelines while promoting a comprehensive gender perspective. Additionally, the workshop emphasizes enhancing insights into how effective interventions and systemic improvements can aid women in addressing both drug use and gender-based violence.