Afleveringen
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Dr Fiona Braka, WHO's program area manager for emergency response in the African region, talks about the 2021 Independent Commission report on allegations of sexual misconduct during the 10th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the previous year.
Fiona talks about her shock and horror at learning about the allegations, the sadness she felt for victims and the sense of shame that the allegations were being leveled at the organization by the very communities it was meant to serve.
While there are still challenges around funding and resources, we learn about the steps taken since the report to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse in emergency operations - and the work going into rebuilding trust within communities.
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Dr Jasmine Westendorf, Associate Professor at La Trobe University in Australia, shares some of her findings about sexual exploitation and abuse perpetrated by peacekeepers and aid workers in humanitarian operations. In this episode, Dr Westendorf discusses the economic interests that lead to exploitation - and how this can have a lasting impact on a community even when the peace operation moves out. We hear about the false premise of consent in transactional sex, and the long-term effects it has on individuals, communities and trust in the very organisations there to support them. Dr Westendorf talks about the importance of community involvement in responding to exploitation and abuse. She also emphasises the need for further research on prevention and the particular vulnerabilities of different population groups.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Ellie Kemp is the strategic partnership director of the humanitarian linguistic organization, Clear Global. In this episode, Ellie talks about how language is tied up with power dynamics, and how this is amplified within the aid system. In an Anglo-centric sector, professional standards and official documentation are developed in English, reflecting a certain worldview. Ellie says this hinders communication and access to resources for affected communities. Crucially it also affects the reporting and prevention of sexual misconduct, as survivors may not be able to communicate their experiences as effectively and coherently as their abusers. Ellie talks about successful initiatives used to break down barriers, including listening stations to allow people to provide feedback in their own language, and developing glossaries in multiple languages. She also says AI language technology has the potential for improving communication, providing work is done to assist machine learning of marginalised languages.
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Abigail Averbach is the manager of the Coordination Unit of the Protection From Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment at The Global Fund. In this episode, Abigal talks about what needs to happen to achieve zero tolerance for sexual misconduct.
Abigail shares her journey from being a US prosecutor to her current role and highlights the lessons she learned from her career.
She emphasises the importance of creating trusted and safe reporting systems and the need for partnerships among international agencies. Abigail also emphasises how vital victim survivor-centred support and trauma-informed investigations are for addressing the needs of those affected by sexual misconduct.
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NASA engineer Bryan Robles, a male survivor of sexual violence, speaks as our first survivor to feature in the "#NoExcuse Podcast" series. Recounting how he connected with WHOâs work on supporting victims and survivors of sexual misconduct, Bryan explains his long journey filled with internal struggle, shame and self-blame. He shares why he chose to speak publicly about his experience. He delivers a powerful message of resilience, self-worth, and the importance of collective action in addressing sexual misconduct and supporting survivors â both female and male. Making links between NASA and WHO, Bryan advocates for not just lip service, but for meaningful survivor-centric culture within all our organizations.
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In this episode, Kelly Clements, Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, speaks about how she led a culture change to address sexual harassment not just in her agency, UNHCR, but across the UN system. Deputy High Commissioner Clements emphasizes how UNHCR took a survivor-centered approach, and the role of strong and shared leadership to enable organizational change.
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In this episode of the #NoExcuse Podcast by the World Health Organization (WHO), Sigrid Kranawetter, Senior Advisor to the WHO Director-General, discusses the fundamental principle of "Do No Harm" and its connection to preventing and addressing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. She emphasizes the responsibility of public health professionals to uphold ethical standards and prevent harm. Sigrid explains the challenges of enforcing accountability within international organizations like WHO, particularly when dealing with sexual misconduct by aid workers. While WHO cannot pursue legal action directly against perpetrators, Sigrid highlights the importance of administrative action and collaboration with national authorities. She also discusses empowering survivors and victims to pursue legal action, providing support, and managing expectations regarding resolution. The episode concludes with insights into WHO's efforts to revise policies, build trust, and incorporate member states and partners into joint accountability for preventing sexual misconduct
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In this episode, we discuss with Lisa McClennon, Director of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (IOS) at the WHO, the vital role of investigations in fostering accountability and preventing future misconduct. She discusses the challenges, principles, and evolving trends in investigating sexual misconduct, emphasizing a victim and survivor-centered approach while maintaining organizational integrity. Additionally, Lisa reflects on her experiences as a female leader of color in historically male-dominated professions, offering invaluable perspectives on leadership and empathy.
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In this podcast episode, Dr. Roopa Dhatt, the Co- Founder and Executive Director of Women in Global Health, addresses the factors perpetuating sexual misconduct in a landscape where women constitute 70% of the health workforce but remain underrepresented in leadership positions.
Dr. Dhatt illuminates the collaborative efforts between Women in Global Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) to confront sexual misconduct in the aid sector and advance women's leadership in global health. She underscores the pivotal role of civil society organizations, particularly women's groups, in advocacy, awareness-building, and supporting survivors of sexual misconduct committed by Aid Workers.
Drawing on insights from HealthToo Policy report, Dr. Dhatt explores the underlying causes of sexual misconduct, including unequal power dynamics and entrenched patriarchal norms. She advocates for comprehensive data collection, robust legal frameworks, and gender parity in leadership as crucial measures for prevention and response to sexual misconduct .
Through personal anecdotes, Dr. Dhatt offers valuable advice for women, especially those of color, navigating leadership roles in healthcare and humanitarian aid, emphasizing the significance of collective action, resilience, and persistence. -
âWe just need more action.â Memory Kachambwa is Executive Director of Femnet, a Civil Society Organization (CSO) that champions the voices of African women.
She highlights the unique position of CSO as first responders in crises. Memory says CSOs are often relegated to the role of implementing partners with insufficient resources and support. Despite their crucial role in amplifying community voices, CSOs encounter barriers that hinder effective action against sexual misconduct.
With a call for more action and accountability from International agencies, Memory offers insights into how CSOs can better serve survivors and victims, paving the way for a future free from silence and impunity."
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UN agencies must provide holistic support to any victim or survivor of sexual misconduct by aid-workers, but this work requires expertise and inputs by a wide range of partners.
WHOâs partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for victim and survivor support in the Democratic Republic of Congo provides a promising model for how this essential work can be carried out. In this episode, Dr Eugene Kongnyuy, the UNFPAâs Deputy Director for Humanitarian Response Missions describes the UNFPA's work and expertise in supporting victims and survivors, stressing the need for tailored support packages.
Dr Kongnyuyâs inspiring words highlight the pivotal role male aid workers can play in advocating for change and standing up against sexual misconduct. Join us on this journey of learning and adaptation.
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Erin MacDonald is WHOâs Prevention and Response to Sexual Misconduct Technical Officer in Syria. In this latest episode, she sheds light on the pervasive issue of sexual misconduct within the aid sector. Drawing on her experience in emergency settings in places like Ukraine, Ethiopia and South Sudan, she emphasizes the heightened risks in such environments and the urgent need for prevention measures.
Erin also shares her observations on the loopholes in addressing sexual misconduct, citing instances where alleged perpetrators continue to find employment despite exposure. The conversation explores challenges in reporting allegations, the significance of cultural change, and the necessity of holding known perpetrators to account.
Erin reflects on triumphs like the #MeToo movement, which increased attention to the issue of sexual misconduct. Although she sees a long road ahead to create effective systems for prevention and response, Erin expresses her belief in gradual progress toward justice for victims and survivors. -
In this eye-opening episode, Ibrahim Abu Khalil, WHO's full-time Prevention and Response to Sexual Misconduct Technical Officer, shares his experiences working in high-risk countries like Libya, Liberia, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and now Yemen, shedding light on the intricacies of navigating cultural taboos.
Discover how Ibrahim removes taboos to establish trust within communities. Despite being a man in a predominantly female-dominated field, Ibrahim discusses the challenges and advantages he encounters in addressing sexual misconduct. Join us for a profound exploration of breaking down cultural barriers, the power of awareness, and the collective responsibility needed to create a culture of inclusivity. Ibrahim's firsthand accounts provide valuable insights into the complexities of addressing sexual misconduct in conservative settings and offer hope for positive change. -
In this transformative episode, United Nations Victimsâ Rights Advocate, Assistant Secretary General Jane Connors brings her extensive experience in sexual and gender-based violence to raise awareness for the rights and voices of victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse. Jane reflects on her past, examines the remaining challenges to this issue, and also the drivers that contribute to her unstoppable mission: seeking dignity and respect for survivors.
Janeâs compelling stories shed light on the vulnerabilities faced by victims and survivors of sexual misconduct, and the urgent need for change. The discussion explores issues like malicious reporting and mandatory reporting, and the delicate balance between victim safety and organizational reputation.
She also reveals how relaying victim and survivor experiences through creative avenues can foster empathy and understanding, and the critical engagement of men in preventing and responding to sexual misconduct in the future.
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While we are focusing on sexual misconduct by development and humanitarian work, in this episode we look at the importance of the broader context of Gender Based Violence in society. We interview Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at the World Health Organization, overseeing the United Nationsâ Co-sponsored Special Program in Human Reproduction. Dr Allotey emphasises that sexual misconduct is a direct violation of human rights. She highlights how power dynamics play a central role in cases of sexual violence, with those in positions of power exploiting those with less power. She also brings focus to WHO's programmatic role in Gender Based Violence and outlines initiatives for training healthcare providers, enhancing screening, and expanding services. Dr Allotey makes this episode a compelling and insightful contribution to the ongoing dialogue on creating a safer and empowered world.
Disclaimer: This podcast contains discussions on sexual misconduct. Topics such as sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment may be discussed. Listener discretion is advised, and we encourage self-care and seeking professional support as needed.
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In this episode, Dr. Gaya Gamhewage, Director of Prevention of and Response to Sexual Misconduct at the World Health Organization, delves into the challenging topic of sexual misconduct within the humanitarian and development sectors. She discusses her evolving emotions when first confronted with allegations of sexual exploitation. Dr. Gamhewage emphasizes the need for a cultural shift within the organization, where ethical behavior is as vital as excellence in public health. She encourages everyone to acknowledge their roles in shaping the organization's culture, understanding their accountabilities, and fostering emotional intelligence. The podcast format, she explains, offers a unique platform for candid conversations, story sharing, and learning. It provides a space for diverse perspectives and honest discussions, which is crucial for addressing a deeply ingrained issue like sexual misconduct. The episode closes with an invitation for listeners to subscribe, actively engage, and contribute to cultural change, echoing the podcast's powerful message: "No Excuse" for not taking responsibility in preventing and responding to sexual misconduct.
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The #NoExcuse podcast is produced by the World Health Organization's Department for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Misconduct. There is no excuse for sexual misconduct in the humanitarian or development sectors. Many people donât want to think about the often-ignored topic of sexual misconduct by our personnel. Shining a light on this dark and painful topic is an important step to addressing it.
Poet, novelist, and survivor Dr. Maya Angelou wrote, âWhat youâre supposed to do when you donât like a thing is change it. If you canât change it, change the way you think about it.â As she suggests, changing how we view the issue is half the battle. It is within this need to change our views in a space of learning that the #NoExcuse podcast was born.
Join us as we delve deep into the topic, share stories of work in the field, surface issues to prevention, and explore making zero tolerance for sexual misconduct a part of workplace culture - WHO's new normal. This podcast will examine different challenges and solutions through the perspectives of people who are already doing the work to create the change we need and want.