Third Women’s Forum on Addiction and Recovery
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Green Crescent organized the 3rd Women’s Forum on Addiction and Recovery (WFAR) on March 14, 2025, at the Turkish House in New York, in partnership with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and with the support of the Government of Azerbaijan. The forum featured renowned speakers from Yale University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, OIC SESRIC, Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, and various non-governmental organizations working in the field of addiction. A total of 125 participants from more than 25 countries attended the forum, as well as the subsequent side event held within the framework of the Commission on the Status of Women, reflecting the strong international engagement and collaborative spirit of the event.
A Global Platform on Women’s Addiction and Recovery
The Women’s Forum on Addiction and Recovery brought together 12 distinguished keynote speakers from government institutions, universities, research centers, and international non-governmental organizations, all united by a shared commitment to advancing recovery and strengthening women’s empowerment.
Throughout the forum, experts examined addiction through a women-centered lens, addressing key issues such as the socioeconomic impact of addiction on women and families, trauma-sensitive and evidence-based interventions, prevention through family- and community-based approaches, the role of education and empowerment in building resilience, and the development of women-focused treatment models.
Reflecting its truly global scope, the forum welcomed 125 participants from more than 25 countries, including Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Nigeria, Canada, Indonesia, South Korea, Guyana, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
The event was further honored by the participation of high-level representatives, including the Minister of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Türkiye to the United Nations, the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in New York, and the Chief of Staff of the State Committee on Family, Women, and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Echoes of Art: International Green Crescent Cartoon Contest Exhibition
During the week, the exhibition titled “Echoes of Art: International Green Crescent Cartoon Contest Exhibition” was open to visitors from 10 to 16 March. Showcasing selected works from the 9th edition of the International Green Crescent Cartoon Contest, the exhibition aimed to raise awareness, particularly among youth and the wider public, by encouraging reflection on addictive substances and behaviors through the universal and impactful language of humor and art.
United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 69 Side Event
This year’s forum also featured a United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 69 Side Event titled “Breaking the Silence: Tackling Stigma and Empowering Women in Recovery”. The session fostered robust and insightful discussions on key issues, including the importance of international collaboration for women’s empowerment, women’s mental health initiatives, climate crisis perspectives, and women-specific treatment models.
