Attachments
Background
Following the review of IASC action over the past ten years, the IASC reaffirmed their commitment to collectively strengthen the humanitarian sector approach to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (PSEAH). In May 2022, the IASC endorsed a five-year Vision and Strategy for 2022−2026. Through this ambitious multi-year Vision and Strategy, the IASC renews its commitment to collective action towards ensuring people caught up in crises can receive humanitarian assistance without fear of sexual misconduct and that aid workers feel empowered to deliver assistance free from sexual harassment. The strategy identifies commitments and time-bound targets to embed sustainable and accountable PSEAH actions within all humanitarian contexts and transformative culture change across the sector. Targets and deliverables include measures to strengthen investigative capacity, prevent perpetrators from moving between organizations in the sector, and to deploy dedicated inter-agency PSEA Coordinators in the highest risk contexts. An IASC Technical Advisory Group (TAG), comprising of PSEA focal points, has been established to support implementation through an annual action plan.
To measure progress and monitor the implementation of the PSEAH Strategy deliverables, the IASC secretariat convened a workshop with the TAG and PSEA Coordinators to exchange good practices, challenges, and how IASC policies, guidance, and tools are best adapted to field contexts.
PSEA Coordinators from 22 countries, senior Victims’ Rights Officers, members of the IASC Technical Advisory Group on PSEAH and government partners met for an in-person, four-day workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. The Under-Secretary-General and Special Coordinator for Improving UN Response to SEA), Christian Saunders, the UN Assistant-Secretary-General Victims’ Rights Advocate, Jane Connors, and IASC Secretariat Chief, Mervat Shelbaya, also participated in the workshop.
This platform provided the opportunity to collectively assess the gains and challenges in PSEAH. In particular, the workshop aimed to a) exchange knowledge, good practices, and lessons learned, b) assess current challenges in the field and find where current tools/policies need to be adapted or new tools/ policies developed, and c) measure and monitor the implementation of the PSEAH Strategy and workplan with the TAG members and funding agencies.
The format favoured group discussions among deployed and experienced field staff from humanitarian response contexts, followed by policy dialogues with experts and government partners. This workshop, therefore, provided a timely opportunity to collectively reflect on progress made against the 2022-2026 IASC Vision and Strategy on PSEAH and agree on priorities going forward.
This workshop also served to strengthen a broader community of practice amongst practitioners and policymakers, including those who influence funding decisions in partner governments. While there was agreement that PSEA activities merit predictable and multi-year funding, it was also clear that expectations are that the humanitarian community collaborates and coordinates more effectively for greater collective impact.
The workshop was held over four days and focused on field experience of PSEA coordinators at the center of discussions. Their input was shared with the Technical Advisory Group, who then met separately to discuss policy-related matters. The workshop ended with a focus on country team efforts in South Sudan and Kenya and included a dialogue with external government partners.