Table 2 Themes, Codes and Excerpts for “Women-sensitive Policy”

Women—sensitive policy

 “In this context, it is important to integrate gender violence as one more element in the approach to addictions. In the case of a substance use disorder, the rates of gender violence are three times those in the general population. It is necessary to work on intervention with both men and women [34]”

Gender violence

Special concerns in women

 “…..consumption little visible, greater stigma and blame and less support and understanding, more judgment reinforced by ideas of motherhood and the impact of children”

 “It is necessary to support the organisations of treated addicts and shift more focus to programmes aimed at female population of addicts (specially adapted programmes of field work and informing on different risks related to drug use, including prostitution and threat to the infant during the pregnancy of a drug addicted mother) [31]”

Stigma, Shame, Blame

 “…consider family responsibilities (as these fall overwhelmingly on women) as a possible barrier to accessing the care network and in the process of rehabilitation and social reintegration [30]”

Gender role

 “Protection of vulnerable populations such as youth and women—guidance provided under the alcohol policy is based on the fundamental principle that it is up to the Government to protect its citizens from alcohol-related harm, particularly harm to women and youth who are more vulnerable to developing alcohol related conditions [35]”

Vulnerability

 “Specialized training for those who work with vulnerable groups, such as patients with psychiatric co-morbidities, children and women, including pregnant women [27]”

 “A National Survey of Drug abuse was conducted in 2001. It had three major components (i) National Household Survey, (ii) Rapid Assessment Survey and (iii) Drug Abuse Monitoring System, which analyzed the profile of treatment seekers. There were sub-studies on drug abuse among rural population, prison population, women, and in border areas. The survey and studies indicated that commercial sex workers, transportation workers, and street children are at greater risk of drug addiction than the general population [27]”

Conduct surveys

Needs Assessment

 “…to understand and integrate the needs of women with drug misuse. Organic Law 3/2007, of March 22, for the equality of women and men (art. 20) states that public administrations must integrate a gender perspective into their studies and statistics as an analytical framework and develop tools which allow for a better understanding of the impact of gender”

 “In the context of the Spanish National Drug Plan and National Addictions Strategy this analytical framework should be used to enable making visible, analyzing and addressing the different presentation and impact of addictions in women and incorporate the needs and reality of women in all actions and strategic interventions [37]”

Gender-responsive analytical framework

 “Pilot early detection and brief intervention programs for minors, women, and sexual and reproductive care services, family planning, pre-pregnancy visits, and obstetrics, as well as sexually transmitted infection units [31]”

Early identification and treatment

Prevention

 “Promote programs focused on the needs of women (for example, dependence on prescription drugs), analyzing all aspects related to consumption and developing alternatives for non-drug treatment [31]”

Gender-sensitive treatment

Treatment

 “Establishing and assisting de-addiction centers in closed settings such as Prisons and Juvenile Homes and for special groups such as women and children in need for care and protection, etc. through State Government [27]”

Custodial settings

 “Through active employment measures of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Employment Agency of Republic of North Macedonia (EARNM), employment opportunities are being offered to members of marginalized communities through stimulations and benefits for employers, and for persons seeking job who get opportunities to attend training qualifications [32]”

Creating social and economic opportunities

Social reintegration

 “The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime was ratified by Egypt and the instrument of ratification was deposited on 5 March 2004 [26]”

Interrupting drug trafficking

Supply reduction

 “Specialized training for those who work with vulnerable groups, such as patients with psychiatric co-morbidities, children and women, including pregnant women [27]”

 “Carrying out continuous training of the medical staff working on programs for implementation of adapted programs for dependency treatment of children and women. As well as carrying out continuous training among CSOs for the implementation of new programs for women and transgender persons [32]”

 “Encourage the creation of the capacity in existing and new therapeutic communities for minors, addicted women and drug addicts with dual diagnoses (comorbidity), and carry out targeted educational trainings for all employees in homes for addicts and therapeutic communities, including professional staff, rehabilitated addicts and volunteers [28]”

Capacity building

Training

 “………National Backward Classes Finance and other Development Corporations of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. In addition, vocational training and livelihood programmes would be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and its affiliated institutes and State Governments [27]”

Inter-miniterial, inter-sectoral collaboration

Collaboration and Coordination

 “Guarantee quality integrated care” which includes the coordination of resources for women who suffer gender-based violence and their children [31]”

Integrated care

 “All indicators should be collected and presented broken down by age and gender, where data is available [38]”

 “Effectively incorporate the gender perspective as a tool for analyzing reality, in all programs, investigations and intervention and prevention.” [31]

Gender-sensitive indicators

Monitoring and evaluation

 “Addressing gender sensitive and responsive issues, including the equal involvement of men and women in decision-making, eliminating obstacles (barriers) to services utilization, and the prevention of gender-based violence.” [39]

Gender-sensitive policy

Policy

 Expanding the Gender budgeting and planning approaches that are responsive to women’s needs in various sectors: adopting policies, planning approaches and budgets responsive to women’s needs are effective methods to bring about social change; through the allocation of resources to implement policies and programs entitled to reduce the gender disparities and eliminate obstacles depriving women of accessing the public services.” [41]

–

Resource allocation