Women In Response To HIV/AIDs and Drug Addiction (WRADA)

WRADA has ensured I am invited to meetings where I have learned things I did not know at all. Our county is often left behind when it comes to receiving adequate knowledge and services related to drug use. I have learned about the global and national standards on harm reduction, safe injecting practices, the importance of not sharing needles or smoking equipment, the link between problematic drug use and poor adherence to HIV treatment, and much more. I am now able to educate my fellow sex workers and key populations, although more education and services are needed.

Through WRADA, I have been able to attend several capacity-building sessions that have increased my knowledge on HIV and Harm Reduction. At WRADA, we rely on each other as a network for support, and because of this, I can respond better to issues faced by women who use drugs, such as gender based violence, child care, solving challenges in obtaining statutory documents such as IDs and Birth certificates, and referral to sexual and reproductive health services and safe shelters

Engaging with WRADA has taught me the importance and given me knowledge on organizing women into groups in order to benefit from social and health services. Even in this far-off county, we are always able to reach each other as a network for support and advice. Even about our personal lives as women who use drugs and women going through the harm reduction process.

I have been empowered in ways I can't shy away from telling my story to anyone. I have learned that a lot of women have gone through a lot that before they couldn't open up, but after being empowered, they freely share their life story during the time of using drugs and after. #Empowered And Not Ashamed or Afraid.

WRADA has taught me about life in ways that no school ever could. WRADA has brought and continues to bring endless opportunities for learning, social justice, impacting the world in positive ways, and the advancement of humanity. I have had the pleasure of working with the most wonderful women from around East Africa and the world, made friends for life, and continue to do purposeful, meaningful work, whose impact I am privileged and humbled to see every day.

...women who use drugs in Mombasa, both at a professional and personal level. For example, A child of a drug user in Mombasa has been supported to enroll in school, a woman has been supported financially to access pregnancy and maternal care, and I have also gained a sisterhood. I have increased my confidence in advocating for my fellow women because of being in this network of women who use drugs.