The World Health Organization launched its Policy on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct which places the victims and survivors at its core, sets strict standards of zero tolerance and stresses that there can be “no excuse” for sexual misconduct.
The new policy replaces a 2017 policy, which investigations and audits found to have gaps in addressing the problems faced by victims and survivors of sexual misconduct.
“The suffering of the survivors of the abhorrent cases of sexual misconduct during the response to the 10th Ebola outbreak in DRC has been the catalyst for a profound transformation of WHO’s approach to preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“This new policy builds on the work we have already done in implementing the recommendations of the Independent Commission, and is a key part of making ‘zero tolerance’ a reality and not merely a slogan.”
The policy covers WHO staff and collaborators (consultants, contractors, partners) in locations where WHO operates, and sets six minimum standards to protect anyone subject to sexual misconduct by WHO staff or collaborators.
The policy outlines the responsibilities of individual members of the workforce, managers, and the Organization as a whole to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct and provides several reporting options that protect the confidentiality of victims and survivors.
There is no requirement for an individual to be a direct or indirect beneficiary of WHO to be recognized as a victim or survivor of sexual misconduct.
