A Chat in the Yurt, discussing Central Asia and Europe. Episode XXVII Vulnerability and harm reduction ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

Step into our Yurt and join us for a monthly conversation on Europe-Central Asia developments. In this series of podcasts, we welcome guests from both regions to discuss exciting new research and the latest developments in Europe and Central Asia. Together, we discuss society trends, political developments, economic turns, and cultural highlights while assessing the past and looking ahead to what may unfold.

 

In this episode, host Yelena Kilina meets with Dalida Mukasheva who has a PhD in Sociology and researches health and social welfare in prisons, with a particular focus on women living with HIV and on harm reduction in the penitentiary system of Kazakhstan; Katarzyna Kowalczyk who is a psychologist and researcher dedicated to improving public health and promoting evidence-based harm reduction approaches to psychoactive substance use in Central Asia, while leading the Global Public Health Network;  and Jarkyn Shadymanova, PhD in Sociology, who is a researcher from Kyrgyzstan at the intersection of public health research, harm reduction, and knowledge production, with engagement in civil society. She is also involved in the kNOwVAWdata initiative supporting evidence-based approaches to preventing violence against women in Central Asia and beyond.

 

This podcast discusses the role of NGOs in improving public health and harm reduction in Central Asia, especially among women who use drugs. The guests emphasize the importance of community-based support, peer outreach and social work in addressing stigma, inequality and the lack of recognition of the profession of social workers. 

 

Join EUCAM in the Yurt via SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple podcasts. Be part of the discussion by posing questions and sharing your thoughts on our social media: LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Mastodon. EUCAM is a programme of the Centre for European Security Studies (CESS), the Netherlands.