It has been implementing Institutional Capacity Building of NGO Run by Former Female IDUs at the national level since July 1, 2007 approved under the ASHA Project, Constella futures Contract. After the successful completion with Constella Futures in May 31, 2009, Family Health International/ASHA continued with Dristi Nepal utilizing the support to increase their focus in raising issues of female drug users and developing their leadership capacity through their meaningful involvement in HIV/AIDS policy making environment and thereby increasing the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS prevention, support and care for female drug users. Co-ordination and networking among the female drug users will be strengthened to influence the programs and policies that address the special needs of female drug users to reduce their vulnerability and mitigate the impact of HIV.
Dristi Nepal has been active for the past four years to raise important issues of female drug users to address the realities of their daily lives, including: treatment and rehabilitation, life skills, gender based violence and income generation skills. This is the organization led by female ex- drug users of Nepal with the mission to create stigma and discrimination free society against female drug users/ WLHAs / women at risk in Nepal. Its key achievement has been its initiatiaton to collect information on the female drug users of Nepal and be able to inform and make aware the government, donors and stakeholders on the issues of female drug users which have always been hidden.
Build and strengthen institutional capacity of Dristi Nepal
Dristi Nepal has been conducting monthly staff meeting with the project staffs to do review and sharing of the project activities, discuss on issues and gaps faced during the implementation of the project gaps. The discussion is based on the learning and recommendations will be developed in order to reach the goal of the project. Group discussions have been successful platform for female drug users to gather hidden issues concerning female drug users as well as to advocate for the major issues of these groups.
Monthly group discussion forum with peers, women groups to discuss on Female IDUs/ Female DUs issues and concerns and to increase knowledge on existence, vulnerability to HIV and AIDS, women issues and health issues.
Conduct network strengthening and Advocacy
FHI/Nepal coordinates closely with district level officials and other key stakeholders in the implementation of all district-level HIV/AIDS activities. Dristi Nepal utilizes local advocacy and networking to create an enabling and supportive environment for sustained positive behavior and reduce stigma and discrimination towards Drug users at the district and national level. This has helped Dristi Nepal to strengthen their networks by working closely with the District AIDS Coordination Committee (DACC), District Public Health Office (DPHO), and other key stakeholders. Dristi Nepal will also network with local NGOs working in HIV/AIDS in these areas to ensure effective use of resources and to ensure that programs compliment each other.
Regional Coordination meeting at regions has supported peers to access information through group sessions; identify the needs, gaps, issues faced by female drug users at the district, regional and national level and thus empowering them and building their skills for advocacy .This has helped Dristi Nepal to coordinate with other female ex-drug users led organizations and stakeholders at the regional level. Co-ordination and networking among the female drug users have strengthened to influence the programs and policies that address the special needs of female drug users to reduce their vulnerability and mitigate the impact of HIV.
In addition, Dristi Nepal collaborates with all network and all FHI partnering agencies and service centers for on-the-field collaboration for advocacy related to care and support and treatment.
Stigma & Discrimination Training
Dristi Nepal has been active for the past four years to raise important issues of female drug users to address the realities of their daily lives, including: treatment and rehabilitation, life skills, gender based violence and income generation skills. This is the organization led by female ex- drug users of Nepal with the mission to create stigma and discrimination free society against female drug users/ WLHAs / women at risk in Nepal. Its key achievement has been its initiatiaton to collect information on the female drug users of Nepal and be able to inform and make aware the government, donors and stakeholders on the issues of female drug users which have always been hidden.
Build and strengthen institutional capacity of Dristi Nepal
Dristi Nepal has been conducting monthly staff meeting with the project staffs to do review and sharing of the project activities, discuss on issues and gaps faced during the implementation of the project gaps. The discussion is based on the learning and recommendations will be developed in order to reach the goal of the project. Group discussions have been successful platform for female drug users to gather hidden issues concerning female drug users as well as to advocate for the major issues of these groups.
Monthly group discussion forum with peers, women groups to discuss on Female IDUs/ Female DUs issues and concerns and to increase knowledge on existence, vulnerability to HIV and AIDS, women issues and health issues.
Conduct network strengthening and Advocacy
FHI/Nepal coordinates closely with district level officials and other key stakeholders in the implementation of all district-level HIV/AIDS activities. Dristi Nepal utilizes local advocacy and networking to create an enabling and supportive environment for sustained positive behavior and reduce stigma and discrimination towards Drug users at the district and national level. This has helped Dristi Nepal to strengthen their networks by working closely with the District AIDS Coordination Committee (DACC), District Public Health Office (DPHO), and other key stakeholders. Dristi Nepal will also network with local NGOs working in HIV/AIDS in these areas to ensure effective use of resources and to ensure that programs compliment each other.
Regional Coordination meeting at regions has supported peers to access information through group sessions; identify the needs, gaps, issues faced by female drug users at the district, regional and national level and thus empowering them and building their skills for advocacy .This has helped Dristi Nepal to coordinate with other female ex-drug users led organizations and stakeholders at the regional level. Co-ordination and networking among the female drug users have strengthened to influence the programs and policies that address the special needs of female drug users to reduce their vulnerability and mitigate the impact of HIV.
In addition, Dristi Nepal collaborates with all network and all FHI partnering agencies and service centers for on-the-field collaboration for advocacy related to care and support and treatment.
Stigma & Discrimination Training