The WHO Nation Workplace has achieved a major milestone by efficiently coaching 28 formally appointed Stopping and Responding to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PRSEAH) focal factors from the Ministry of Well being (MoH) on the nationwide and state ranges. This initiative has expanded the community of devoted PRSEAH part-time focal factors from WHO and MoH to 55.
The humanitarian disaster in South Sudan has escalated because of extended pure and man-made disasters affecting its inhabitants, resulting in its classification as a high-risk nation for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. The mixture of maximum poverty, displacement from ongoing battle, and the numerous presence of humanitarian staff, together with peacekeepers, exacerbates these vulnerabilities.
The WHO nation workplace in South Sudan is dedicated to fostering an organizational tradition of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Below the coordination of the WHO PRSEAH Coordinator, the workplace has established a robust mechanism for PRSEAH and coordinated these PRSEAH actions throughout its numerous programmes and operations nationwide.
Previously two years, WHO additionally constructed a robust community of 27 educated part-time WHO Focal Factors, together with at the least 2 Focal Factors in every of the ten states of South Sudan, and in every of the Nation Workplace Clusters. In 2023 and 2024, a complete of 214 in-person PRSEAH actions (consciousness elevating and coaching periods) had been carried out nationwide, reaching 12,469 individuals straight, together with WHO and companion personnel (MoH and NGOs) and neighborhood members.
One of many PRSEAH strategic targets requires WHO nation workplaces to ascertain a robust partnership with the Ministry of Well being to facilitate the implementation of PRSEAH actions, and notably in emergency conditions. On this context, WHO obtained the appointment of PRSEAH focal factors from the nationwide and state MoH, who would work in shut collaboration with the WHO counterparts to facilitate the coordination of such actions.
The MOH has formally nominated 28 focal individuals from the nationwide MOH and every of the ten states and three administrative areas. This initiative marks the MoH’s robust dedication and engages the state-level Ministries, which is a vital step ahead.
To facilitate the work of the newly appointed MoH Focal Factors, a 3-day Orientation assembly was convened along with the 27 WHO Focal Factors. The assembly targeted on the PRSEAH focal individuals within the discipline and oriented them on their roles and duties and find out how to handle and handle PSEA challenges.
The aim of the occasion was to assessment the authorized framework of the Code of Conduct and sexual misconduct, enhance the information of PRSEAH, together with definitions and sensible examples of PRSEAH, study confidential reporting channels and investigation processes, together with whistleblower safety, and develop an Motion Plan on find out how to be a part of efforts between WHO and MoH implementing PRSEAH in our operations, particularly in emergency response.
Through the assembly, members of the South Sudan Normal Medical Council had an in depth panel dialogue relating to the moral conduct of medical professionals and the regulatory framework relevant in South Sudan on this regard.
In his keynote handle of the workshop, Mr. George Otto, the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Workplace in South Sudan, emphasised the vital function of the UN in integrating PSEA into all programming and actions. He acknowledged, ” The United Nations is dedicated to combating sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment inside its operations and creating an surroundings the place everybody feels protected, together with the beneficiaries and our personnel as effectively.”
“The nomination of the focal factors from the Ministry of Well being reveal the robust dedication from the Ministry of Well being in the direction of stopping sexual exploitation and abuse amongst its workforces,” mentioned Dr Santo Malek, Director Normal of Worldwide Well being and Coordination on the Nationwide Ministry of Well being.
Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, the WHO Consultant in South Sudan, emphasised that “participating the Ministry of Well being is a vital step towards fostering a protected and respectful surroundings inside humanitarian and growth packages, particularly at state ranges.”
The assembly reaffirmed the significance of those discussions and the collective accountability to sort out SEAH. Via collaboration, coaching, and sustained dedication by the Authorities and the UN, South Sudan could make nice strides in defending susceptible populations and making certain that every one people within the nation are handled with dignity and respect.
Technical contact:
Diana Dominyak | Coordinator | Prevention and Response to Sexual Misconduct (PRS) | +211 92 054 2321