Fighting against sexual exploitation and abuse
a priority for WHO
Our work to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse
WHO prohibits sexual exploitation and abuse and is committed to preventing it in its workplaces and operations. Sexual exploitation and abuse violate universally-recognized, international legal norms and standards. WHO considers such acts as serious misconduct, which may constitute grounds for disciplinary measures, including summary dismissal and criminal prosecution.
In recent months WHO has intensified its efforts to strengthen the Organization’s work on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, the WHO Task Team on Prevention and Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PRSEAH) is currently reviewing WHO’s existing policies with the aim to develop a revised and comprehensive policy framework and an internal WHO Policy Directive on Protection from Sexual Abuse has been issued to clarify the policy of the Organization. While that work is under way, ad interim, WHO reiterates its existing standards, aligned with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Bulletin on , and ensures alignment with the requirements under the Harmonized Donor clause on sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment that WHO has adopted for all WHO funding agreements.
WHO has also adopted the UN protocol on assistance to victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the UN protocol on implementing partners related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and the IASC core principles and minimum operating standards.As part of PRSEAH’s work, a new WHO policy on protection against sexual exploitation and abuse is being developed, as well as guidance for the public on how to report as well as guidance for persons affected. This will be issued in due course.In the meantime, WHO reconfirms its commitment to fighting against sexual exploitation and abuse and strongly encourages anyone observing anything of this nature to report it to WHO by using the bohbr.comegrity Hotline.
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