Leaders from our humanitarian team joined the WFP discussion to share their insights on effectively addressing sexual exploitation and abuse, and lessons learned from the Yemen crisis.
“Donors need to be careful not to drive this issue underground through punishing organisations who come forward regarding internal findings and past faults[.]”
“There are broader cultural issues that go beyond whether or not you have a good policy or program to address sexual harassment and abuse because misogyny and inequality are topics that are deeply embedded in many institutions.”
"We need to figure how we develop mechanisms where we can share information," said Lindsay Coates, head of InterAction, a 180-strong alliance of U.S.-based charities and aid groups.
Oxfam America President Abby Maxman hopes this is just the beginning of coordinated and collective action that the aid and development world needs to stamp out sexual abuse and harassment.
The CEO Pledge on Preventing Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Harassment by and of NGO Staff represents our commitment to practices and policies that will not only protect our own staff, but also the communities we serve.
"Patricia McIlreavy, a vice president at US NGO alliance InterAction, said “Donors and foundations must recognise that addressing this issue will take time and courage.”
"We convened other CEOs in the sector and said, what can we do to bring more attention and capacity for better approaches to protecting staff, communities, and ensuring policies and systems are in place?" said Abby maxman, CEO of Oxfam America.
"More than 120 CEOs of U.S.-based international NGOs have signed a pledge promising to strengthen policies to prevent sexual misconduct by staff. Some organizations are starting to take more concrete actions."
This guide was developed to assist InterAction member organizations in developing and implementing policies to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).