Press Release: Dhaka, Aug 18, 2026 : A three-day clinical training programme aimed at strengthening gender-responsive and evidence-based treatment services for women with substance use disorders began in Dhaka on Monday.
The training is being jointly organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission and the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter under the Women’s Intervention of Substance Exposure (WISE) programme.
Titled “Comprehensive Care for Substance Use Disorder (WISE) – Course 1: Clinical Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders,” the training is being held from August 18 to 20, 2026.
The course seeks to enhance participants’ clinical knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies to provide effective, trauma-informed and culturally responsive treatment tailored to the specific needs of women affected by substance use disorders.
Over the three days, participants will explore key aspects of women’s substance use and treatment, including the physical, psychological and social impacts of substance use, treatment engagement and retention, trauma-informed care, screening and comprehensive assessment, individualized treatment planning, clinical interventions, and the development of safe and therapeutic treatment environments.
The training also focuses on strengthening participants’ ability to address co-occurring mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders.
Using an interactive and practical approach, the programme combines technical presentations with group discussions, role plays, case studies and hands-on exercises. The approach is designed to help participants translate clinical knowledge into practical skills that can be effectively applied in their day-to-day work with women seeking treatment and recovery support.
The sessions are being facilitated by experienced resource persons, including Iqbal Masud, Md Tanvir Ahmed and Jannatul Ferdous, who are guiding participants through the course modules and practical learning activities.
Women affected by substance use disorders often face unique health risks and multiple barriers, including social stigma, violence, family and community challenges, as well as difficulties in accessing and remaining in treatment. Addressing these challenges requires treatment approaches that extend beyond conventional clinical models and respond to women’s individual circumstances, needs and lived experiences.
In this context, the WISE training is seen as an important initiative to strengthen the capacity of treatment providers and promote more gender-responsive, compassionate and evidence-based substance use disorder services for women.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission currently operates two specialised facilities dedicated to women—the Mayer Hashi Mental Health Service Centre and the Ahsania Mission Female Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre—providing specialised mental health, substance use treatment and rehabilitation services for women.