MIHRE Champions Health, Human Rights, and Dignity for Women Who Use Drugs During the 2026 Support Don’t Punish Global Day of Action
On 26 June 2026, the Milestone Initiative for Human Rights and Empowerment (MIHRE) joined advocates, community organisations, and civil society actors across the globe to commemorate the Support Don’t Punish (SDP) Global Day of Action, with support from the Women and Harm Reduction International Network (WHRIN). The campaign reinforced the growing global movement calling for drug policies that prioritise health, human rights, gender equality, and harm reduction over punishment and criminalisation, particularly for women and gender-diverse people who use drugs.
Held in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, the campaign provided a powerful platform to amplify the voices of women who use drugs, challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote evidence-based, gender-responsive approaches to drug policy and service delivery. It also sought to increase public understanding of harm reduction, advocate for health-centred responses to drug use, reduce stigma, discrimination and gender-based violence, improve access to healthcare, psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive health services, and legal protection, while strengthening solidarity among women with lived experiences.
The event brought together 16 women who use drugs, healthcare professionals, a clinical psychologist, and the MIHRE team in a safe and inclusive environment designed to promote dialogue, learning, empowerment, and collective action.
The day began with a vibrant community solidarity walk through the streets of Uyo. Participants marched peacefully with placards carrying bold advocacy messages that promoted dignity, inclusion, harm reduction, and the protection of the rights of women who use drugs. Accompanied by music and community engagement, the rally attracted widespread public attention, sparking meaningful conversations with residents and passers-by about the urgent need to replace punitive drug policies with compassionate, evidence-based responses rooted in public health and human rights.
The solidarity walk concluded at a designated safe hotspot, where participants gathered for a series of interactive learning and empowerment sessions. Before the programme commenced, participants voluntarily signed informed consent forms, reaffirming MIHRE’s commitment to ethical standards and meaningful participation.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of MIHRE welcomed participants and reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of women who use drugs. She stressed that access to healthcare, protection from violence, and respect for human dignity are fundamental human rights that should never be denied because of drug use. She further highlighted the importance of community-led advocacy and the meaningful involvement of women who use drugs in shaping policies and programmes that directly affect their lives.
Participants engaged in an in-depth session on harm reduction, exploring its core principles, proven public health benefits, and the importance of shifting from punitive approaches towards policies that prioritise health, safety, and human rights. Discussions reinforced that harm reduction is a practical, evidence-based strategy that saves lives, reduces health risks, and promotes social inclusion.
Another key session focused on violence against women who use drugs, examining the different forms of violence and discrimination they often experience. Participants were introduced to the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, available reporting mechanisms, and survivor-centred support services that can help women seek justice and protection.
Recognising the importance of mental wellbeing, a clinical psychologist facilitated a session on mental health and psychosocial support, exploring the complex relationship between trauma, stigma, discrimination, and drug use. Participants discussed practical coping mechanisms, resilience-building strategies, and the importance of seeking psychosocial support without fear of judgment or discrimination.
The programme concluded with an engaging session on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), where participants received information on routine health screenings, family planning, and available healthcare services. Facilitators emphasised that women who use drugs deserve equitable access to quality healthcare and social services free from stigma, discrimination, and exclusion.
Throughout the campaign, participants were encouraged to utilise available harm reduction and SRHR services, report incidents of violence, prioritise regular health checks, and continue strengthening the peer-led support networks established within their communities.
Beyond raising awareness, the campaign created a safe and non-judgmental space where women openly shared their lived experiences, built confidence, strengthened solidarity, and renewed their commitment to advocating for their health and human rights. The public engagement generated during the solidarity walk also contributed to challenging widespread misconceptions about women who use drugs and promoting greater community understanding of harm reduction.
The 2026 Support Don’t Punish Global Day of Action once again demonstrated MIHRE’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender-responsive harm reduction, protecting the health and human rights of women who use drugs, and promoting compassionate, evidence-informed, and rights-based responses to drug use.
MIHRE extends its sincere appreciation to the Women and Harm Reduction International Network (WHRIN) for supporting this important initiative. Through this partnership, community voices were amplified, solidarity was strengthened, and another significant step was taken towards a future where every person who uses drugs is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Support. Don’t Punish. Because healthcare saves lives, human rights protect lives, and dignity belongs to everyone.
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