Human Rights Advocacy in West Africa: Progress, Challenges, and Pathways to Putting People First This webinar provided an overview of the current state of human rights advocacy in West Africa, acknowledging both the region's progress and persistent challenges. It examined how issues like governance, security, and inequality impact human rights, and discussed the crucial role of civil society organisations and activists. It also analysed the obstacles they face, including limited resources and restrictive environments, and explored strategies to strengthen advocacy efforts and prioritise the well-being of all people in West Africa. --- Défense des droits de l'homme en Afrique de l'Ouest : Progrès, défis et voies pour mettre les gens au premier plan Ce webinaire a donné un aperçu de l'état actuel de la défense des droits humains en Afrique de l'Ouest, en reconnaissant à la fois les progrès réalisés dans la région et les défis persistants. Il a examiné l'impact de questions telles que la gouvernance, la sécurité et les inégalités sur les droits humains, et a discuté du rôle crucial des organisations de la société civile et des militants. Il a également analysé les obstacles auxquels ils sont confrontés, notamment les ressources limitées et les environnements restrictifs, et a exploré des stratégies visant à renforcer les efforts de plaidoyer et à donner la priorité au bien-être de toutes les personnes en Afrique de l'Ouest.

Topic: Inclusive Decision-Making for PWUD, Sex Workers, and PWDSO: Living the Principle of 'Nothing About Us, Without Us' The webinar addressed some critical needs for meaningful participation of marginalised communities, specifically people who use drugs (PWUD), sex workers (SW), and people with diverse sexual orientations (PWDSO) in West African decision-making processes. Focusing on the "Nothing About Us, Without Us" principle, we examined the barriers these communities face in influencing policies and programmes that directly affect their lives. We also explored how stigma, discrimination, and criminalisation contribute to their exclusion, and discussed strategies to ensure their active involvement in shaping effective and appropriate interventions.

The Impact of Advocacy Efforts in West Africa - L'impact des efforts de plaidoyer en Afrique de l'Ouest The purpose of this webinar series was 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. L'objectif de cette série de webinaires était 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 indiqué par les traités et conventions régionaux et internationaux, y compris les lois nationales.

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. 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.

Exploring the Intersections of Discrimination & Violence This session explored the intersections of Discrimination and Violence faced by people who use drugs, sex workers, and #lgbtqia people and addressed some of the complex issues within the context of West Africa. #advocacy #westafrica #policyreform #inclusión #humanrights #drugpolicy

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

Lancement de l’Explicatif sur la Loi Type sur les Drogues - Session Française et Portugais Veuillez accéder aux documents via https://fr.wadpn.org/resources 2021 info@wadpn.org

You can have a quick read at the summary of the event here: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2021/september/20210928_western-africa-model-drug-law Kindly access the documents via www.wadpn.org/resources 2021 info@wadpn.org

In November 2021, an exciting new resource will be launched: the Global Drug Policy Index (GDPI). The Index will score and rank countries on how their national drug policies align with the international best practice in terms of health, criminal justice, access to medicines, and development.

Regional Conference on Harm Reduction - The State of Harm Reduction and Effective Drug Control Response in West Africa #HarmReduction #DrugPolicyReform #RethinkDrugPolicy #StopTheStigma #EndTheDrugWar #SUpportDontPunish @ WADPN 2021 NB: This conference was presented in both French and English, therefore, due to how Zoom interpretation works (keeping the original voices), you will be hearing each language at a time, depending on the presenters' selected options. Thank you. Resources from Harm Reduction International that you can read: https://www.hri.global/tools-for-advocates https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2020 https://www.hri.global/sustainable-financing