EN: Promoting Human Rights & Inclusion: Assessing Policies and Laws in West Africa The purpose of this webinar series is to provide compelling evidence to support the recognition and inclusion of the human rights of Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUD), Sex Workers (SW), and LGBTQI individuals, as outlined by regional and international treaties and conventions, including national laws. FR: Promouvoir les droits de l'homme et l'inclusion : Évaluer les politiques et les lois en Afrique de l'Ouest L'objectif de cette série de webinaires est de fournir des preuves convaincantes pour soutenir la reconnaissance et l'inclusion des droits de l'homme des personnes qui consomment des drogues (PWUD), des travailleurs du sexe (SW) et des personnes LGBTQI, comme le soulignent les traités et conventions régionaux et internationaux, y compris les lois nationales.

We are sharing our second interview from the #AfricaPolicyWeek in Cape Town. The failure of the war on drugs has been demonstrated multiple times, highlighting the need for policy, behavioural, and conversational changes around drugs. A priority must be #PuttingPeopleFirst, and African drug enforcement agencies need to make a rapid shift. We spoke with Bernice Apondi of VOKAL-Kenya, Maria-Goretti Ane, IDPC-Africa Consultant, and Charity Monareng, Executive Director of SSDP Intl. Here's what they had to say! #DrugPolicyReform #Africa #HarmReduction Cc: @iamkumordzi

2023 Africa Policy Week in Cape Town, South Africa 🌍 Reflecting on an impactful week in Cape Town! SANPUD, alongside its partners, hosted the enlightening #AfricaPolicyWeek. We had the privilege of hearing from conference delegates about their takeaways, insights on the journey of #DrugPolicyReform in Africa, and the urgent matters that demand attention. #AfricaPolicyWeek2023 #PolicyWeekRecap #ChampioningChange Edited by @iamkumordzi

A message from the West Africa Drug Policy Network to the President-elect of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Julius Maada Bio, regarding the current trend of illicit drug-related activities and its detrimental impact on individuals in Sierra Leone. 2023

Today is June 26, a day observed as the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trade. Also known as #WorldDrugDay. The West Africa Drug Policy Network joins the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and all other advocates to amplify the call to put people first and end stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs. #SupportDontPunish #GlobalDayOfAction #WADPN 2023

This is the #PandemicTreaty inception meeting hosted by the West Africa Drug Policy Network with support from Harm Reduction International. A series of online meetings to discuss the effects of COVID-19 & make recommendations to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) of the World Health Assembly (WHA) regarding the ongoing drafting & negotiation process of the pandemic treaty. Background In December 2021, the World Health Assembly (WHA) held a Special Session, (the second-ever since WHO’s founding in 1948) and agreed to develop a ‘WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness’ – the so-called ‘Pandemic Treaty’. The decision establishes an intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) to draft and negotiate the instrument. The INB held its first sessions in February and March 2022 to elect bureau officers and agree on working methods and timelines. All WHA Member States are members of the INB. The INB bureau – whose role is to guide the negotiations - is composed of the Netherlands and South Africa (co-chairs), Brazil, Egypt, Japan, and Thailand (vice-chairs). Learn more via https://hri.global/publications/negotiating-the-pandemic-treaty-a-primer/ #humanrights #drugpolicy #WADPN #harmreduction #worldhealthorganization #WHA #westafrica #covid19 #pandemic

Recap from #GambiaDrugLawReform Day 1: WADPN, in collaboration with Students for Sensible Drug Policy, SSDP-Gambia, organised a sensitisation meeting with CSOs & Religious Leaders on Drug Control Response. The conference aimed at having a road map and strategy to reform the Gambia drug law and policies for the well-being and human rights of people who use drugs. Video credit: Kerr Fatou Media, Gambia

The Legislative Committee of Liberia reports back to Senate on the Controlled Drug and Substance Act 2014 (amended). Following months of a careful review of the amended Controlled Drug and Substance Act 2014, the Legislative Committee of the Liberian Senate, on July 25, 2022, presented its findings and recommendations to the plenary. Read an article on the session via https://www.wadpn.org/post/legislative-committee-reports-to-senate-on-controlled-drug-substance-act-2014-amended