Human Empowerment Campaign – Dianova
Dianova aims to promote a holistic perspective of addiction treatment based on individual empowerment, and raise awareness about the relationship between addiction and gender
On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on June 26, Dianova launches the ‘Human Empowerment’ campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness about the need to promote holistic addiction treatment services based on people’s empowerment and individual development, and integrating a gender perspective.
The “Human Empowerment” Concept
Dianova believes that girls’ and women’s rights are fundamental human rights and that there is an urgent need to create more awareness of the specific problems women face when confronted with substance use disorders, including stigma, gender-related differences, violence, and obstacles to treatment and social reintegration. This is the reason why the campaign will endeavour to emphasize how addiction and gender are closely interconnected, through the lens of a single concept, Human Empowerment.
Through this unique concept, the campaign will be developed in three phases, under the following themes:
Recovering one’s Capacity to Choose, Embracing Life
Everyone can be affected by addiction problems. Regardless of gender, race or social status, no one can say they are immune to substance use disorders or behavioural addictions such as compulsive gambling. And they can lead to a world of pain. Although using drugs is, at least at the beginning, a personal choice, addiction never is. As science defines it: “addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences”.
Achieving Empowerment through Life Skills
We must address the specific needs of all people in treatment and post-treatment programmes, including women and LGBTI people. For instance, women respond better to treatment and have better compliance when included in psychotherapy and group counselling. Sexual education and family planning, as well as diagnosis of psychiatric comorbidity, eating disorders and trauma related to sexual abuse and violence are priority issues that need to be integrated in the treatment agenda for women.
Empowerment: regaining control over one’s life
Empowering women and girls across all programmes and advocacy efforts will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. With stepped-up action on gender equality, every part of the world can make progress towards sustainable development by 2030, leaving no one behind.
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