Context

In Senegal, female drug users (DU) are relatively fewer in number but are more affected than men by HIV infection. HIV prevalence among female DU is estimated at 21.1% compared to 7.5% among male DU. Yet women are under-represented in existing community-based organisations and play a secondary role in these associations. Male UDs lack the legitimacy to advocate for the positioning of female UDs and are not sufficiently equipped to address the specific needs of women. 

This situation motivated a group of women leaders to commit themselves to addressing their specific needs and to set up a women's association UD

In response to this, ENDA Santé is implementing "Jigéen Fullë", a project funded by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), which provides support and organisational development to vulnerable female drug users in Dakar. 

Objective 

To support and participate in the organisational development and empowerment of women UDs formed as associations in Dakar to enable them to be positioned in the decision-making processes on social and public health policies.