Women Together Against Addictions

Women Together Against Addictions
was established in 1922.

The objective of the organization is to prevent women’s early stage dependencies, assist them in getting rid of dependencies and support the day-to-day life control of women. Furthermore, the organization pays attention in the quality of alcohol and drug abuse treatment services and brings out the women’s perspective.

The major issues in Women Together Against Addictions are:

• women’s reciprocal networks
• women’s own resources and self-help

There are many demands and role expectations for modern Finnish women. For example, they have to be attractive, to succeed in their careers and to be good mothers. Gradually, the dependencies and difficulties may inadvertently become too huge to bear. Women may become addicted to alcohol, drugs, relationships, among other things.

NOVAT Program

Women Together Against Addictions bears responsibility for the connected NOVAT program. The core function of the NOVAT program are NOVAT peer groups for women. In these groups women are supported in controlling their own lives, so that they would be able to live without dependencies and build their own networks. The organization provides study material for groups. There are NOVAT self help groups all across Finland.

The organization promotes the women’s point of view also by informing, organizing lectures for women, and educating professionals in the field of health and social welfare. The objective of the education is to offer health and social welfare professionals the skills needed in paying attention to women’s needs regarding dependencies.