CoMPSS

CoMPSS: «Gender-oriented medical and psychosocial services to women with opioid use disorders and female patients of opioid agonist treatment program»

The project is being implemented with the financial assistance of Expertise France and Initiative on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria: France’s indirect contribution to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria (“GF”), placed under the oversight of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

 

 

 

Partners:

  1. Charitable organization “Ukrainian Network of Women who Use Drugs “VONA”
  2. Frontline AIDS

Implementation period: 01.02.2024 – 31.01.2027

Geography: 5 cities – Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Odesa, Kryvyi Rih

Budget: 1 500 000.00 € /euro

Goal: Reducing barriers to access prevention and medical services for women with opioid use disorders, female patients engaged in opioid agonist therapy (OAT), and victims of violence (of all genders among people who use drugs).

Main tasks:

  • Psychosocial, health and humanitarian support for female patients engaged in opioid agonist therapy (OAT)
  • Opening of the Mother and Child rooms based on OAT sites in the 5 cities – Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa
  • Opening of the Green Room to provide qualified psychological, medical, legal and social support to victims of violence (of all genders among people who use drugs) in Dnipro city.
  • Implement gender-transformative programs to reduce the impact of patriarchal norms undergirding gender stereotypes and barriers to accessing prevention services.

Contacts:

Project Manager: Olga Dolechek, dolechek@aph.org.ua

Program Specialist: Serhiy Kharitonov, kharitonov@aph.org.ua

Project news

October 7-9, 2025

The three-day #CoMPSS training became a powerful space for professional development, experience exchange, and mutual support!

The #CoMPSS project team, together with psychologists and social workers from the Mother and Child Rooms and the Green Room, spent three days deepening their knowledge and practicing the skills necessary to support women with opioid use disorders — including patients of Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) — as well as survivors of violence among men, women, trans*, and non-binary people.
Participants worked with a developed methodology for conducting individual sessions with clients.
The training program covered key topics such as Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT), gender-responsive healthcare, psychosocial support, reproductive health, and the prevention of HIV, hepatitis, and STIs.
They also learned about legal aid procedures and practiced approaches to counseling in cases of violence — recognizing abuse, responding to emergencies, and preventing risks. Separate sessions focused on mental health, including identifying depression and developing treatment adherence plans.
Project psychologists took part in supervision sessions — a valuable format for professional development that also provided space for discussing complex cases, peer learning, and restoring inner resources.
Through practical sessions and teamwork, participants enhanced their competence in individual, group, and phone counseling.
The training became not only an opportunity to gain new knowledge but also a platform for strengthening teamwork, professional growth, and finding new inspiration for future work.
The #CoMPSS project is implemented by the All-Ukrainian Union of Women with Drug Dependence “VONA” with the support of the Alliance for Public Health, funded by L’Initiative, and supported by Expertise France.

July 28–30, 2025

A training course for master trainers was held in Lviv (the second in a series of training sessions dedicated to developing key skills in the gender-transformative approach).

The goal of this training was to break down the barriers faced by women who have opioid use disorders, are in opioid substitution therapy, or have experienced violence. Especially now, with the war, these challenges have become even more acute.

It was a marathon of knowledge and practice, with an emphasis on case studies, lively discussions, and individual feedback from each participant. We were happy to welcome the most active representatives from partner organizations who were already involved in this important topic, joining forces and exchanging experiences.

The training was part of the gender-transformative direction of the CoMPSS project, which is being implemented by Frontline AIDS together with the Alliance for Public Health, thanks to funding from L’Initiative and with the support of Expertise France.

The event was held in a hybrid format. It was facilitated in Ukraine by Kateryna Rostovska, while Louisa Orza shared her experience from the UK.

In addition to the packed agenda, the training had a touching interactive element. On the first day, each participant drew a piece of paper with another participant’s name. For three days, they were that person’s “guardian angel”: they looked after them, did nice things, and subtly offered support. Everyone had to try to guess who their secret “angel” was!

This initiative not only added positive emotions but also contributed to a deeper connection among the participants.

We don’t just aim to change the system; we start with ourselves.

May 27–28, June 10–11, 2025

The CoMPSS project held its first training modules on the gender-transformative approach (GTA).

  • 2 online trainings
  • 44 participants
  • 18 non-governmental organizations
  • 19 cities in Ukraine

The training was conducted by international trainer Louisa Orza (UK), with simultaneous translation into Ukrainian.

The goal of the training was to increase the capacity of organizations working with women, LGBTQI+ communities, and men who have sex with men and use drugs, to implement a gender-transformative approach. This helps to overcome gender, legal, and social barriers in service provision.

Participants learned about:

  • How gender-based violence (GBV) affects health and HIV risk.
  • Different gender-related approaches: sensitive, transformative, blind, and exploitative.
  • What intersectionality is and how stigma affects access to services.
  • How to recognize gender biases and create a safe space.
  • How to work with sensitive topics and support OST clients within the legal framework.

Here is one example of feedback from a participant: “I gained a clear understanding of the difference between ‘gender’ and ‘biological sex,’ and I learned to recognize which gender approaches are used in programs and how this affects their effectiveness. I also learned about intersectionality and the impact of stigma on different groups—this is critically important in my work.”

The training was organized by the Alliance for Public Health within the CoMPSS project, which is aimed at supporting women with opioid use disorders and OST program patients. The project is implemented in partnership with the All-Ukrainian Association of Drug-Dependent Women VONA and Frontline AIDS, with the support of Expertise France.

Thank you to all participants for their deep reflections, sincerity, and desire to make services for women fairer and more humane. Together, we are creating change!

May 20–22, 2025

The CoMPSS project team held a three-day working meeting. The project’s full title is “Gender-Oriented Medical and Psychosocial Support for Women with Opioid Use Disorders, Including Opioid Substitution Therapy Patients, and Comprehensive Support for Survivors of Violence Among People with Opioid Use Disorders, OST Patients (Men, Women, Trans, Non-Binary People).”

The team summarized the first year of the project’s implementation, discussing:

  • Successes, challenges, and innovations for the second year.
  • Referrals to a psychiatrist for antidepressant treatment.
  • Counseling for inclusion in the OST program.
  • New approaches to client recruitment, work with hard-to-reach groups, and the informational component.

The meeting agenda also included working with the SYREX database, preparing reports and project documentation, modeling the patient’s journey, practical exercises on motivational counseling and overcoming resistance, as well as interactive exercises for preventing emotional burnout.

The meeting was led by experts:

  • Olha Panchuk – psychotherapist, trainer
  • Gela Kalandiia – psychiatrist-narcologist, head of the OST department at KNE “KCNCH №10”
  • Yevheniia Zakrevska, Olha Dolechek, Serhii Kharytonov, Kateryna Bondarenko – team from the International Charitable Foundation “Alliance for Public Health”
  • Olena Zublenko – project coordinator from the Ukrainian Network of Women who Use Drugs “VONA”

A representative of the donor, Arthur Langlois, Project Manager at Expertise France, also participated in the meeting.

We thank all participants for the open exchange of experience, constructive work, and a shared vision for change! We are expanding support for those who need it, and together we are creating a system where treatment and support are barrier-free.

February 25, 2025

A detailed interview with representatives of the CoMPSS project team has been published on the website of our donor, L’Initiative.

In the interview, Yevheniia Zakrevska, APH Senior Manager; Olha Dolechek, CoMPSS Project Manager; Tetiana Lebed, VONA Director; and Kateryna Hrytsaienko, Head of the National Hotline on Addiction and OST Services, spoke in detail about:

  • The challenges faced by women who use drugs in the context of war.
  • How the project provides them with comprehensive support: from medical services to legal aid and safe spaces.
  • Why overcoming stigma and discrimination is key to their survival.

Read the full interview and learn more about our work by following the link:

https://linitiative.expertisefrance.fr/en/compss-supporting-women-who-use-drugs-in-times-of-war/

February 7, 2025

For the first time in Ukraine, women in an OST program receive a unique vaccine!

The first 7 women, who are patients in the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) program, have received a unique vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is currently not available for individual purchase in Ukraine!

Why is this important?

  • Women who use drugs are at a high risk of contracting HPV due to weakened immunity, co-existing conditions (such as HIV), and limited access to medical services.
  • HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, and vaccination helps prevent the development of this and other cancers.
  • Gardasil-9 is a modern vaccine that protects against the 9 most dangerous types of HPV.

This initiative by the Alliance for Public Health and the Ukrainian Network of Women who Use Drugs «VONA» is a crucial step in protecting the health of women who require specialized support. The vaccination was made possible with the support of Expertise France within the CoMPSS project.

Currently, the vaccine is available in Dnipro, Odesa, and Lviv, and the program will soon be expanded to Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih!


November 27, 2024

An important meeting was held to analyze the provision of comprehensive support for people who use drugs and patients of the OАT program in 2024.

Key topics discussed during the meeting:

  • The current state of the OАT program in Ukraine and prospects for 2025.
  • Gender challenges in supporting women who use drugs.
  • Results of the CoMPSS project.
  • Advocacy for the rights of OАT patients during martial law.

The speakers represented leading organizations providing comprehensive support to people who use drugs and OАT patients, including: The Public Health Center of Ukraine, Alliance for Public Health, Ukrainian network of women who use drugs (VONA), VOLNa, СО «Hope and Trust», The Probation Center and regional partners.

Purpose of the event: to identify successful practices and develop plans for further improving services, especially for women who have experienced violence.

This stakeholder meeting was conducted within the framework of the CoMPSS Project, implemented by the Alliance for Public Health in cooperation with Ukrainian network of women who use drugs (VONA) funded by L’Initiative and supported by Expertise France.

June 24–26, 2024

A training session for social workers and psychologists was held, focusing on gender-oriented medical and psychosocial support for women with opioid use disorders and survivors of violence.

During the training, participants learned about reproductive health, including diseases, contraception, and age-specific considerations. They also learned more about:

  • The human papillomavirus (HPV) as a primary cause of malignant diseases in women’s reproductive systems, as well as methods of diagnosis and prevention;
  • Vaccination recommendations, including eligibility and contraindications.

The skills of self-testing for HIV and syphilis accompanied by a social worker were practiced and knowledge about these infections was improved.

Additionally, participants received information they could use not only in their professional work but also personally, as health is important for everyone.

In-depth insights into these complex topics were provided by gynecologist Olena Kulakovska.

Another crucial focus was mental health. Through practical exercises led by psychologist-trainer Olha Panchuk, participants learned about motivational counseling techniques and approaches for addressing violence and child neglect, including strategies for working with social services and government agencies.

During a session led by psychiatrist Oksana Svoryn, participants gained an understanding of mental disorders related to substance use and received information about the medical treatment of depression.

Project psychologists also benefited from supervision support, discussing complex cases from their practices with colleagues.

The Alliance for Public Health team, together with the CO “Ukrainian network of women who use drugs (VONA)” conducted a strategic session to discuss best practices for working with women and individuals affected by violence. They explored additional services that could attract potential clients to participate in the project.

This activity was implemented within the framework of the “Gender-oriented medical and psychosocial services to women with opioid use disorders and female patients of opioid agonist treatment program” (CoMPSS) Project, funded by L’Initiative and supported by Expertise France.

 

May 30, 2024

representatives of Expertise France, the CO “Ukrainian network of women who use drugs (VONA)”, and the Alliance for Public Health made a joint visit to the Kyiv City Narcological Clinical Hospital “Sociotherapy,” where a “Mother and Child” room will soon be opened.

The room will be equipped with:

  • A space for communication and relaxation;
  • A hygiene area and a play zone for children;
  • A dedicated area for counseling sessions with a psychologist and social worker.

Clients of the project will have access to comprehensive support, including:

  • Psychosocial assistance;
  • Medical assistance  (referrals to friendly doctors: gynecologists, psychiatrists, dermatologists, pediatricians);
  • Counseling of a psychologist;
  • Drug treatment of depression;
  • Medical checkup of reproductive women’s health;
  • Screening and vaccination for the human papillomavirus (HPV), diagnosis of oncological diseases , support taking into account age characteristics  (e.g., for women during menopause);
  • Legal assistance;
  • Humanitarian support;
  • HIV and STI testing.

This initiative is being implemented within the framework of the CoMPSS Project – “Gender-oriented medical and psychosocial services to women with opioid use disorders and female patients of opioid agonist treatment program” with funding from Expertise France.

In Kyiv, the project has been made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Alliance, the CO “Ukrainian network of women who use drugs (VONA)” and the leadership of the medical facility, including Volodymyr Yaryy, head of the outpatient department Hela Kalandiya, and all staff members of the OAT site.


April 17–19, 2024

The Alliance for Public Health and the CO “Ukrainian network of women who use drugs (VONA)” held the inaugural meeting of the CoMPSS Project – “Gender-oriented medical and psychosocial services to women with opioid use disorders and female patients of opioid agonist treatment program”.

During the meeting, the types of services to be provided within the project were identified:

  • Psychosocial, humanitarian, and legal support;
  • Referrals to friendly healthcare professionals (gynecologists, dermatologists, psychiatrists, proctologists, endocrinologists, pediatricians);
  • HPV vaccination, HIV and STI screening, and more.

Additionally, the following will be created and equipped:

  • 5 “Mother and Child” rooms in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Kryvyi Rih;
  • 1 crisis “Green Room” in Dnipro to provide comprehensive support to individuals affected by violence.

During the meeting, activists from the CO “Ukrainian network of women who use drugs (VONA)” received basic knowledge on topics such as “Gender-based violence,” “Post-traumatic stress disorder,” “Stress,” and “Emotional burnout.”

In collaboration with representatives of the Alliance, they discussed strategies for engaging clients in the CoMPSS project, the service provision framework, and the roles of regional team members.

The event was held in partnership with the CO “Ukrainian network of women who use drugs (VONA)” and funded by Expertise France.

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