WHO has a zero – tolerance policy towards all forms of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) and inaction for such activities and is committed to build capacity of our workforce and stakeholders to prevent, protect from and response effectively and quickly to any allegations of SEAH. Thus, the first – ever orientation workshop with implementing partners on “WHO policy on preventing and responding to Sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment” was held on 16 November 2022, Melia Hotel Yangon as a hybrid event to allow the participants to join in – person or virtually according to their locations.
The workshop aims to inform the implementing partners about standards of conduct expected by WHO in relation to PRSEAH (preventing and responding to Sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment) , to explain the further process required to be undertaking including reporting procedures and how WHO protects the reporters and victims from retaliation, to inform what the implications to the implementing partner are, if they have any SEAH allegations.
“Sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) within the workforce and the communities we serve is a grave violation of our commitment to do no harm and protect the vulnerable.”
WHO Myanmar is enhancing our response towards PRSEAH activities. Nearly 80% of our workforce (staffs/non – staffs) in the country office completed awareness raising and orientation sessions and we also have “Elder Sisters Initiative” who will act as elder sisters to all the staffs allowing space for any discussions on issues and report to PRSEAH focal points. The awareness raising materials on Code of conduct, Whistleblowing and Protection Against Retaliation, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, WHO Policy Directive on PRSEAH are translated into Myanmar language and a docket containing all these materials are given to the WHO Myanmar staffs and Implementing partners. The customized business card with information on reporting details are also distributed.
- “What does it mean by sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and how common it is: definitions and numbers” by Dr Nilmini Hemachandra, WHO Myanmar
- “WHO policy on PRSEAH and how it applies for implementing partners and Implication of SEAH allegation of Implementing Partners” by Dr Christos Mylonas from WHO Headquarters
- “How to report SEAH to WHO and investigation process” by Ms Sarah Cato, WHO Headquarters.
100 participants joined in – person and 75 joined virtually, with total in 175 actively participated in the orientation workshop representing 44 organizations and entities. One of the implementing partners, the President from Myanmar Liver Foundation reflected “I really appreciate WHO for organizing this kind of workshop with the topic on sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. I will also share the useful knowledge and information that I have received today within our organization and networks”.
There is “No Excuse” for any form of sexual misconduct by WHO staff personnels and implementing partners. Identifying the concrete risks that could lead to SEAH and taking action to mitigate them will enable us to be effective in safeguarding all our programmes and operations.