#NoExcuse

Recorded live at the 2024 WHO PRS Stakeholder Review Conference, this special episode brings together leading voices in the prevention and response to sexual misconduct. Hosted by Dr. Gaya Gamhewage (Director, PRS at WHO), join Professor Frank Dobbin (Harvard University), Dr. Marianne Cooper (Stanford University), and Joelle Payom (activist, survivor, and founder of Rezalliance) as they share their perspectives on transforming the prevention and response to sexual misconduct. This conversation explores systemic challenges, bold leadership, and survivor-centered approaches. From addressing harmful workplace norms to fostering meaningful accountability, the panel delves into what it takes to move beyond "business as usual." Whether you're a policymaker, organizational leader, or advocate, this episode offers compelling insights and actionable takeaways to create safer, more equitable workplaces.

In this episode of the #NoExcuse podcast, host Guni Dias speaks with Harvard sociologist Frank Dobbin about the complexities of sexual harassment in the workplace, especially within international aid organizations. Dobbin examines contributing factors like power differentials and social isolation and critiques conventional harassment training for its sometimes counterproductive effects. Dobbin highlights effective alternatives such as allyship, bystander intervention training, and enhanced grievance mechanisms, including ombuds offices and dispute resolution processes. The discussion underscores the need for cultural change and proactive leadership to foster harassment-free environments. 00:00 Trigger Warning and Introduction 00:30 Interview with Frank Dobbin: Understanding Workplace Harassment 03:06 Power Differentials and Social Isolation in Aid Organizations 06:09 Challenges of Traditional Harassment Training 09:12 Effective Strategies for Allyship and Manager Training 14:23 Reporting and Grievance Mechanisms 19:20 Broader Spectrum of Workplace Misbehaviours 22:16 Creating a Culture Free of Harassment

Lusungu Kalanga and Amanda Bangura are the co-leads supporting victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse in Malawi through their partnership with Women's Rights Organizations. In this podcast, Lusungu and Amanda discuss how important the principles of feminism are to their co-leadership and how it helps them derive joy from the most demanding of roles. We hear about the critical role that women's rights organizations have in providing support for victims including reporting and advocacy where language barriers and prejudice play a role.

Dr. Marianne Cooper is a sociologist and expert on gender at Stanford University. In this episode she discusses her research on gender dynamics in the workplace and their connection to sexual harassment. Dr Cooper talks about three main cultural and structural factors contributing to sexual misconduct in the workplace and the constant need for men to prove masculinity. She explores the notion of contest culture within workplaces which sees people undermine and compete with each other in the pursuit of power and status. We also hear about the particular challenges faced by the aid sector, particularly those working out in the field. Plus, Dr Cooper talks about effective strategies for fostering safer and more equitable workplace environments.

The late, Aidan O'Leary, WHO's director for polio eradication, says that polio eradication, like all aid work, needs not only professional excellence, but for all workers to meet the highest standards of personal conduct. Since the late 1980s, the number of cases of polio has reduced from hundreds of thousands down to a handful every year. In this episode he talks about the importance of leadership and upholding professional standards in delivering his mission. We hear how important it is to win the acceptance, confidence and trust of parents and caregivers to allow vaccinators to enter homes and do their work. Working to the highest professional standards, including adhering to the WHO's guidelines on the prevention of sexual abuse and misconduct, is critical. O'Leary also reflects on his time working in some of the world's most protracted and complex emergency environments and talks about the importance of walking the talk - maintaining personal and professional accountability while on duty. Update 07 August 2024 - Aidan O'Leary, WHO's Director for polio eradication, passed away a few weeks after this episode was released. Aidan was a tireless advocate for global health, dedicating his life to eradicating polio and ensuring that aid work was carried out with the highest standards of professional and personal conduct.

Dr Fiona Braka, WHO's program area manager for emergency response in the African region, talks about the 2021 Independent Commission report on allegations of sexual misconduct during the 10th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the previous year. Fiona talks about her shock and horror at learning about the allegations, the sadness she felt for victims and the sense of shame that the allegations were being leveled at the organization by the very communities it was meant to serve. While there are still challenges around funding and resources, we learn about the steps taken since the report to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse in emergency operations - and the work going into rebuilding trust within communities.

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.