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#NoExcuse

Written by: WHO - World Health Organization
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  • Summary

  • 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 don’t 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, “What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” 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. This podcast series 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.
    WHO
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Episodes
  • How Sexual Exploitation is Fuelled by Economic Interests

    How Sexual Exploitation is Fuelled by Economic Interests
    Jun 11 2024
    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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    26 mins
  • Language: the power to Heal and Harm

    Language: the power to Heal and Harm
    May 14 2024
    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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    28 mins
  • From prosecuting sex crimes, to protecting communities from aid workers

    From prosecuting sex crimes, to protecting communities from aid workers
    Apr 30 2024

    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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    30 mins
Hygiene & Healthy Living Science
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