Geneva: On Tuesday, more than 50 nations sent a message to the World Health Organization requesting that those responsible for sexual abuse within the WHO be swiftly held accountable.
The nations emphasised the need for adequate support for survivors of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) at the executive board meeting of the UN health agency.
Following revelations in 2020 of widespread sexual abuse by humanitarian workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the WHO has come under intense pressure to implement significant changes.
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In a joint statement read on behalf of 57 nations, British ambassador Simon Manley expressed "deep concerns" regarding SEAH allegations as well as the alleged abuse of power by WHO employees and contractors.
All 27 EU members, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Chile, Japan, the US, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, and Ukraine were among the nations represented. They applauded the courage of survivors and whistleblowers for speaking out while acknowledging the recent advancements.
It is essential to create a culture that values honesty, openness, and responsibility, the nations said.
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"We call on WHO management to set the tone and set an example in these areas, especially by defining clear responsibility and accountability lines.
"We firmly support WHO's investment in staff training and capacity-building. This work should raise awareness of the power imbalances and injustices between victims and offenders, which are the main causes of SEAH. They demanded a change in strategy in favour of a focus on victims and survivors.
We strongly support efforts to increase WHO's investigative capacity because complaints must be handled promptly and offenders must be held accountable, the member states said. "We expect member states to receive prompt and private reporting, including on the steps taken to address SEAH."
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The World Health Assembly of member states, the WHO's decision-making body, is advised by the 34-member executive board, which is responsible for carrying out its directives. The WHO executive board's 152nd session, which began on Monday and runs through February 7, has just begun. According to the WHO, it has no tolerance for any kind of sexual misconduct by any of its employees and responds quickly to any allegations.