A/HRC/39/39 62. The World Drug Report 2018 highlighted the importance of gender- and agesensitive drug policies, and explored the particular needs and challenges of women. 89 Globally, women who use drugs face significant stigma and discrimination in accessing harm reduction programmes, drug dependence treatment and basic health care. They may face high levels of violence or harassment from law enforcement officers. 90 63. In terms of national practice, Spain reported that it was aiming to improve the integration of gender-specific aspects in all its prevention and assistance programmes, including the prevention and early detection of gender-related violence against women who were drug-dependent or at places where drugs were consumed. 91 New drug strategies in Argentina, Ireland, Lebanon and Myanmar provided various gender-sensitive programmes.92 The Plurinational State of Bolivia adopted a new presidential decree with a specific focus on the rights of women deprived of liberty, including those convicted for drug-related crimes.93 64. Civil society organizations recommended practical measures for the implementation of gender-related joint commitments contained in the outcome document of the thirtieth special session. These included, inter alia, ensuring that all drug treatment and rehabilitation services were non-discriminatory and evidence-based, and met women’s needs, including pregnant women’s specific medical, psychological and social needs; and ensuring that women involved in civil or criminal proceedings had access to fair trials, including timely access to legal representation.94 65. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has addressed drug issues and women, on several occasions. For example, the Committee has expressed concerns about the high level of drug addiction experienced by women in the Sri Lankan fisheries industry, and has recommended the provision of health and counselling support to women with drug addictions, in line with its general recommendation No. 34 (2016) on the rights of rural women (see CEDAW/C/LKA/CO/8). The Committee has expressed concerns about “the excessive use of incarceration as a drug-control measure against women and the ensuing female overpopulation in prison” in Canada (see CEDAW/C/CAN/CO/8-9). It has recommended that Ukraine should intensify the implementation of strategies to combat drug consumption among women, in line with its general recommendation No. 24 (1999) on women and health (see CEDAW/C/UKR/CO/8). The Committee also recommended that Kyrgyzstan ensure equal rights and opportunities for women who faced intersecting forms of discrimination, including women who used drugs (see CEDAW/C/KGZ/CO/4). It recommended that Georgia provide gender-sensitive and evidence-based drug treatment services to reduce harmful effects for women who used drugs (see CEDAW/C/GEO/CO/45). B. Youth and children 66. In the outcome document of the thirtieth special session, all States are committed to addressing the specific needs of children and youth. 95 67. Since its inception, the Committee on the Rights of the Child has addressed issues related to protecting children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, pursuant to article 33 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and has 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 See www.unodc.org/wdr2018/prelaunch/WDR18_Booklet_5_WOMEN.pdf. Joint submission from the Washington Office on Latin America, EQUIS Justicia para las Mujeres, the International Drug Policy Consortium and Dejusticia; and submission from Release. Submission from Spain. Strategies of Ireland and Myanmar; and submissions from Lebanon and the Defensor del Pueblo of Argentina. Decree No. 3030; and submission from Acción Semilla. Submission from the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, endorsed by Amnesty International and others. Recommendation 4 (f). For statistical purposes, the United Nations uses the term “youth” to refer to persons aged between 15 and 24. 13