Study tour to Sweden

02-07 of December 2018 within the framework of the project “Exploiting the potentialities of CSOs and LAs for development of holistic prevention of drug and alcohol abuse among girls and women in lagging regions of Russia” 15 representatives of CSOs and LAs of 10 project regions and relevant experts have taken part in the study tour to Sweden for familiarization with prevention and support programs for women and discussions of civil society – authorities cooperation. 

On December 3, Kajsa Westlund, Secretary General of The Swedish Midwives Union presented care and midwives´ work to prevent alcohol use during the pregnancy. After lunch Dr. Ihsan Sarman, Physician at Sachsska Children and Adolescents Hospital told about Alcohol and Pregnancy and mother-child care after birth, and  made the presentation of a support program for mothers in addiction with babies at Neo Natal Clinic - follow up peditrician care. Next day co-founder and former chief of treatment centre for women Kvinnohemmet in Sandviken Lena Stenberg presented the core drug treatment program.  In the evening participants of the study tour met with members of women self-help group “Equal”. On December 5, Susanne Rosen Host Department Chief  from Municipality of Stockholm told and shown the  Women´s Shelter “Kvinno- och skyddade boendet Syrenen”. The day was finished at Swedish Women´s Lobby – organization that promote women rights and interests. Last day of the visit was filled with the meeting with the Board of WOCAD and  discussion about how to develop sustainable NGO to advocate and raise awareness about drug prevention and women´s issues. Later on Britt Fredenman, project leader of BellaNet National/International presented early drug prevention for young girls. The study tour has encouraged a greater involvement of LAs and CSOs into the gender specific substance use prevention, promoted direct interaction between Community Institutions, CSOs and LAs, and fostered cooperation among EU and Russian Institutions, LAs and CSOs. WOCAD with support of DAPC has arranged the study tour.

The project is implemented with the support of the European Union.