Centring the voice of women who use drugs in public health research and practice
1
Criminology, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2223
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Harm Reduction is a long-standing, evidence-based public health practice that has been essential in addressing HIV, HCV and overdose risks for people who use drugs, their families and communities. However, little attention has been paid to women's gendered experiences accessing these important harm reduction and public health interventions. Traditional forms of research tend to replicate existing systems of oppression and power imbalances; participatory approaches are a recognised tool to create conditions that resist further marginalisation to ensure that the women are engaged as active participants.
METHODS:
This workshop will facilitate a conversation exploring the principles and practice of meaningful co-production delivered by experienced women from research, service provision and activism from across the globe to highlight the voices of women with lived experience of drug use. The objectives are to listen to good practice examples and consider how we can translate this into research and policy. This workshop, using Open Space Technology as a framework, will create the time and space to explore good practice around the themes of co-design/co-production with women who use drugs and consider how this can be transferred to research and policy.
RESULTS:
Attendees of this session will gain a range of experiences and perspectives from the panel of women, with expertise on co-designing and co-producing services for women, from the perspectives of research, practice and activism within harm reduction and public health. The facilitators will bring their lived experience and practice to create an authentic and challenging experience.
CONCLUSIONS:
This workshop builds on the harm reduction principles of sharing power, responsibility and learned knowledge. The session will provide practitioners and policymakers with an opportunity to connect, exchange insights and with a renewed focus on centring the individuals whom public health policy impacts most significantly, but who are often excluded from contributing to that policy.
Harm Reduction is a long-standing, evidence-based public health practice that has been essential in addressing HIV, HCV and overdose risks for people who use drugs, their families and communities. However, little attention has been paid to women's gendered experiences accessing these important harm reduction and public health interventions. Traditional forms of research tend to replicate existing systems of oppression and power imbalances; participatory approaches are a recognised tool to create conditions that resist further marginalisation to ensure that the women are engaged as active participants.
METHODS:
This workshop will facilitate a conversation exploring the principles and practice of meaningful co-production delivered by experienced women from research, service provision and activism from across the globe to highlight the voices of women with lived experience of drug use. The objectives are to listen to good practice examples and consider how we can translate this into research and policy. This workshop, using Open Space Technology as a framework, will create the time and space to explore good practice around the themes of co-design/co-production with women who use drugs and consider how this can be transferred to research and policy.
RESULTS:
Attendees of this session will gain a range of experiences and perspectives from the panel of women, with expertise on co-designing and co-producing services for women, from the perspectives of research, practice and activism within harm reduction and public health. The facilitators will bring their lived experience and practice to create an authentic and challenging experience.
CONCLUSIONS:
This workshop builds on the harm reduction principles of sharing power, responsibility and learned knowledge. The session will provide practitioners and policymakers with an opportunity to connect, exchange insights and with a renewed focus on centring the individuals whom public health policy impacts most significantly, but who are often excluded from contributing to that policy.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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