A non-governmental organization (NGO) YouthRise Nigeria, has stressed the need for women’s inclusivity amid the need to challenge the struggles faced by women who use drugs and live with HIV.
The executive director of YouthRise Nigeria, Fisayo Alao-Amiola, stated this in a statement yesterday in Abuja as part of events to mark the International Women’s Day with the theme: “Inspire Inclusion.”
She said the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s 2018 survey in Nigeria revealed alarming statistics, with one in four drug users being a woman.
Amiola noted that the report indicated that 21.8 per cent (10.8 million) of men and 7.0 per cent (3.4 million) of women in Nigeria reported drug use.
She said YouthRise Nigeria takes proactive measures to address the unique needs of these women through interventions ranging from policy advocacy to education, HIV testing, reproductive health services, harm reduction and counseling.
She said collective efforts are needed to scale up these interventions and reach marginalized communities.
