The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with 42 African Member States, has launched a significant initiative aimed at preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PRSEAH) in joint health operations. This initiative was announced during the African Strategic Conference on Prevention and Response to Sexual Misconduct, which took place from November 17 to 20, 2023, in Pretoria. This landmark event is set to establish a global model for safeguarding reforms within health systems.
This initiative builds on the WHO’s PRSEAH Accountability Framework for Member States, which was endorsed at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025. The framework serves as a voluntary foundation for health ministries to institutionalize safeguarding measures in their operations alongside WHO. It aligns with United Nations standards while specifically addressing gaps in existing protocols by including sexual harassment in addition to exploitation and abuse.
Key components of the framework focus on three interconnected areas. Firstly, it aims to establish clear policies and codes of conduct that set minimum standards for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of equipping health personnel and partners with mandatory training, including specialized modules for emergency responders and victim support teams. Lastly, it seeks to create robust incident management systems through safe reporting channels, survivor-centered assistance, and timely investigations supported by disciplinary or legal actions.
Alia El-Yassir, WHO Director for Gender, Rights, Equity and Sexual Misconduct Prevention, highlighted the initiative’s significance, stating, “Preventing and responding to sexual misconduct is inseparable from our shared commitment to gender equality, human rights, social justice and inclusion. When women are safe and respected, societies thrive.” Her remarks underscore the initiative’s broader implications for community health.
The discussions in Pretoria advanced the operationalization of the framework through technical sessions focused on policy integration, emergency preparedness, risk management, and survivor support. Member States shared their experiences in addressing PRSEAH, highlighting both successes and challenges. This exchange laid the groundwork for establishing key principles and action areas aimed at embedding safeguarding within health systems.
This initiative is particularly crucial in a region that faces over 160 public health emergencies annually. Health workers, often embedded in vulnerable communities, are called upon to uphold the highest ethical standards.
As the global community observes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, this initiative serves as a powerful reminder that healthcare environments must prioritize safety and reject discrimination and violence. Through the leadership demonstrated by African governments, WHO is poised to present a model for global adoption.
The ultimate aim is to restore trust, uphold dignity, and ensure that WHO and its Member States actively protect the communities they serve. By scaling this approach worldwide, WHO intends to assist health ministries in incorporating the PRSEAH Accountability Framework into their health systems and emergency operations, reinforcing the message that accountability is integral to effective healthcare delivery.
