This briefing has been developed using data from surveys, interviews, and academic and grey literature. The analysis and writing was led by Temitope Salami and supported by Shenae Jonas on behalf of Harm Reduction International (HRI), with data and inputs from Sam Shirley-Beavan, Robert Csak, Colleen Daniels and Naomi Burke-Shyne. HRI acknowledges the contributions of Ruth Birgin and Wangari Kimemia, WHRIN; Rhiannon Thomas, COUNTERfit; Becky Fleming, SJSOWC; Catherine Mwangi, Women Nest; Stacey Doorly-Jones, STAND; Bernice Apondi, VOKAL Kenya; Hamimu Masudi, Health Poverty Action; Murdo E. Bijl, AHRN, Myanmar; Esther Alenge Myambano, Indigenous Women for Health and Equality; Happy Assan TaNPUD; Shawn McGregor, RISE Jamaica; Uki Atkinson, NCDA Jamaica; and Tom Muyunga-Mukasa, Advocacy Network Africa. Ann Noon edited this paper
Women, ethnic minority groups and Indigenous people who use drugs have been adversely affected by the spread of COVID-19. The introduction of swift executive orders and restrictions on movement by national governments may have contributed significantly to multiple challenges women have faced.[1] In Indonesia, Kenya and South Africa, women experienced victimisation1 and violent treatment from family, intimate partners and law enforcement.[3–6] Indigenous people suffered stigma from the community and, together with women who use drugs, experienced discrimination, harassment and exploitation by the police and healthcare workers.[4–10] Other challenges affecting the health and rights of women, ethnic minority groups and Indigenous people who use drugs include limited access to quality health and social services, experiences of homelessness and the loss of social bonds and food security
