1. Female IDUs & Female Sex Partners of IDUs- Risks and Vulnerabilities 1

2. Female Sex Partners of IDUs The National Behavioural Surveillance Survey (BSS) 2006 showed that: The majority of IDUs are young males who fall within the age group 26-35 years They are sexually active, often married Have regular sex partners who are also vulnerable to HIV/AIDS 2 Contd…

3. Female Sex Partners of IDUs Another study done by UNODC in South Asia (including India) in 2008 involving drug users and their regular sex partners showed: 20% of the regular sex partners also used drugs Only 22% reported condom use in last sexual act 74% had heard of HIV but only 25% believed they were at risk of contracting it Only18% had gone for HIV testing! 3 Contd…

4. Female Sex Partners of IDUs What makes FSPs vulnerable to HIV/STI? Women are biologically more vulnerable to HIV High HIV prevalence among IDUs Difficult to negotiate correct and consistent condom use FSPs may also be using drugs themselves so added risk of sharing injecting equipment 4 Contd…

5. Female Sex Partners of IDUs Other factors that increase vulnerability: Economic burden of their partner’s drug use may push them into sex work Social burden, particularly the stigma attached to being a partner of a drug user, becomes a barrier to accessing preventive healthcare Also vulnerable to domestic abuse and violence 5

6. Female Injecting Drug Users As per NACP III, the number of female IDUs in the country is estimated to range from 10,005 to 33,392 Due to lack of adequate strategic information, specially data, it is widely believed that the phenomenon of female IDUs is only in the NE region of India 6 Contd…

7. Female Injecting Drug Users However, a 100 site comprehensive study titled ‘Women and Drug Use in India: Substance, Women and High Risk Assessment Study’ carried out on substance use and women in India by UNODC in 2008 showed that: 32.4% of female IDUs were from the North-east 24.6% were from the eastern region 15.3% from the northern region 17.1% were from the south 10.6% were from the western region 7 Contd…

8. Female Injecting Drug Users What makes FIDUs more vulnerable to HIV? Biologically, women are more vulnerable to HIV There is double stigma attached to being a FIDU. This makes accessing safe injecting equipment more difficult Women are economically less empowered and thus may get involved with pedalling / sex work to support their drug use. This further increases their vulnerability 8

9. Special Interventions Required? Yes! Special interventions are required for thse vulnerable groups because: Existing services are not gender responsive FIDUs aren't able to access existing treatment services as these lack facilities for co- accomodation/childcare Both FIDUs and FSPs require special SRH services They find it difficult to confide in male service providers Thus services and service delivery needs to be tailored to meet specific needs of FSPs and FIDUs 9

10. Strategies for Reaching Out Community and institution-based gender- sensitive and user-friendly services at both the non-governmental and governmental levels Support through vocational training and creation of self-help groups Self-help groups for partners of IDUs to be able to cope with their situations Networking of services in the community for medical, legal or financial aid for women 10

11. Thank You! 11