On June 26th, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Dianova launched the campaign “A gateway within all
women’s reach.” This initiative aims to raise awareness about the challenges women encounter when accessing addiction services. Access
to such services is significantly influenced by gender, with women facing greater obstacles in terms of structural, social, cultural, and gender-
related barriers.

Barriers to accessing treatment based on Gender have been highlighted various times in the past. However, women still remain clearly underrepresented in treatment programmes. As a matter of fact, gender has a notable impact on substance use initiation, progression to drug dependence, harms related to alcohol and drug use, and people’s access and adherence to treatment. On the latter issue, women are at an obvious disadvantage due to the multiple barriers they face

Hence, Dianova International has shared this campaign to be spread to highlight these barriers and measures that could be implemented to reduce the barriers. The campaign can be used by everyone to reach decision-makers, health professionals, the general public, and women who use drugs.

The campaign is elaborative and informative. It provides access to information to increase knowledge and awareness as well as useful steps and measures that can be shared.