Earlier this year, the leader of the World Health Organization’s efforts to prevent sexual abuse, Dr. Gaya Gamhewage, made a trip to Congo to address the largest known sex scandal in the U.N. health agency’s history.
This scandal involved the abuse of well over 100 local women by staffers and others during a deadly Ebola outbreak.
During her trip in March, Dr. Gamhewage encountered an alarming case in which one of the abused women had given birth to a baby with a malformation that required special medical treatment, resulting in additional costs for the young mother in one of the world’s poorest countries.
In response to these atrocities, the WHO has provided $250 to at least 104 women in Congo who have reported being sexually abused or exploited by officials working to stop Ebola.
However, it is important to note that this amount is significantly less than a single day’s expenses for some U.N. officials working in the Congolese capital.
This discrepancy raises questions about the fairness and adequacy of the support provided to the victims. Internal documents obtained by The Associated Press revealed that the $250 payment is only $19 more than what Dr. Gamhewage received per day during her three-day visit, highlighting the disparity in the treatment of victims and officials.
This disparity is concerning and calls for a thorough review of the support and assistance provided to the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation in Congo.
The amount in question covers typical living expenses for less than four months in a country where, according to the WHO documents, many people survive on less than $2.15 a day.
This highlights the stark contrast in living standards and income levels between different parts of the world. It also underscores the need for global efforts to address poverty and inequality.
The fact that such a small amount of money can only cover a few months of living expenses in this country is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by millions of people around the world.
It calls for a reevaluation of our priorities and a renewed commitment to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life for all individuals, regardless of their geographic location.
The disparity in living conditions and income levels between different countries is a pressing issue that requires collective action and a comprehensive approach to address.
The payments to women were not simply handed out freely; rather, they were contingent upon the completion of training courses designed to assist them in establishing “income-generating activities.”
This stipulation seems to be an attempt to sidestep the U.N.’s policy against paying reparations by incorporating the funds into what the organization refers to as a “complete package” of support.
Despite this, a significant number of Congolese women who have been victims of sexual abuse have yet to receive any form of compensation. According to a confidential document from the WHO, approximately one third of the known victims are “impossible to locate,” while nearly a dozen women have declined the organization’s offer of assistance.
The $26,000 in total that the WHO has allocated to these victims represents a mere 1% of the $2 million “survivor assistance fund” that the organization has established for individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct, primarily in the Congo.
In recent times, the issue of sexual abuse and exploitation has been a topic of concern in many organizations. The United Nations (U.N.) has been at the forefront of combating this menace, with various initiatives aimed at eliminating impunity for sexual misconduct.
However, recent revelations by the Associated Press (AP) have shed light on the inadequacy of compensation for victims of sexual abuse and exploitation by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Despite the WHO’s efforts to provide monetary compensation to victims of sexual abuse and exploitation, recipients have stated that the money received was hardly enough.
Paula Donovan, who co-directs the Code Blue campaign, has described the WHO payments as “perverse.” She added that it is unimaginable to mesh compensation for sexual assault or a crime that leads to the birth of a baby with seed money.
Moreover, the requirement for victims to attend training before receiving the cash has set uncomfortable conditions for victims of wrongdoing seeking help.
It is imperative that organizations take the issue of sexual abuse and exploitation seriously and provide adequate compensation and support to victims.
The encounter between Gamhewage and the two women revealed their desire for justice and accountability for the perpetrators of sexual abuse. The women expressed their wish to prevent further harm to others by ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
While the women chose to remain anonymous, their voices echoed the sentiments of many others who have suffered similar experiences.
In response to the victims’ needs, the WHO has developed a “victim survivor package” to provide support, taking into consideration the local cost of living and global guidelines to ensure that recipients are not exposed to further harm.
Gamhewage emphasized the organization’s commitment to following expert recommendations from local charities and other U.N. agencies.
Despite these efforts, she acknowledged that more needs to be done and expressed the WHO’s intention to directly consult survivors to determine additional support measures.
The WHO’s dedication to addressing the needs of survivors reflects a commitment to upholding human rights and promoting healing and justice in the face of such atrocities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been involved in addressing the medical costs for 17 children who were born as a result of sexual exploitation and abuse, according to a statement.
Additionally, there have been reports of a woman who claimed to have been sexually exploited and impregnated by a WHO doctor, and subsequently negotiated compensation with the agency.
This compensation included a plot of land and access to healthcare, as well as a monthly payment until the birth of the child.
The purpose of this agreement was stated to be to protect the integrity and reputation of the WHO. However, in interviews with the Associated Press, other women have come forward alleging that the agency has not taken sufficient action in response to their claims of sexual exploitation.
For example, Alphonsine, a 34-year-old woman, stated that she was coerced into having sexual relations with a WHO official in exchange for a job with the Ebola response team in Beni, Congo.
Despite receiving $250 from the WHO, she was informed that she would need to complete a baking course in order to access the funds. These accounts highlight the need for the WHO to thoroughly investigate and address allegations of sexual exploitation within its organization.
Alphonsine expressed that while the financial assistance she received was helpful at the time, it ultimately proved insufficient. She conveyed that she faced bankruptcy and would have preferred to be granted a plot of land and a more substantial sum to establish her own business.
Meanwhile, for WHO staff working in Congo, the standard daily allowance ranges from approximately $144 to $480, with a three-day trip to Kinshasa resulting in a $231 daily allowance for Gamhewage.
Internal documents revealed that over half of the $1.5 million allocated for preventing sexual misconduct in Congo for 2022-2023, totaling $821,856, was allocated to staff costs.
Furthermore, 12% was designated for prevention activities, while 35% ($535,000) was earmarked for victim support, encompassing legal aid, transportation, and psychological assistance.
Notably, this budget is distinct from the $2 million survivors assistance fund, which aids victims globally. The WHO’s Congo office operates with a total allocated budget of approximately $174 million, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation serving as its principal funder.
Despite these allocations, the U.N. health agency faces ongoing challenges in holding perpetrators of sexual abuse and exploitation accountable in Congo.
A WHO-commissioned panel discovered at least 83 perpetrators during the Ebola response, including 21 WHO staffers, with the youngest known victim being 13 years old.
An AP investigation in May 2021 revealed that senior WHO management had been informed of sexual exploitation during the Ebola containment efforts while the abuse was ongoing but took minimal action to address it.
Despite pressure from Congolese authorities, the WHO’s response has been criticized for being inadequate, with allegations that little has been done to discipline those involved.
The WHO has stated that five staffers have been dismissed for sexual misconduct since 2021, yet deep distrust persists in Congo.
One woman, Denise, who claimed she was coerced into a sexual encounter with a WHO staffer in exchange for a job during the outbreak, received $250 after completing a baking course. She expressed disappointment, stating that promises to address the issue have not been fulfilled.
Another woman, Audia, recounted being impregnated by a WHO official in exchange for employment during the outbreak, resulting in a five-year-old daughter.
She received what she deemed to be an inadequate $250 after completing tailoring and baking courses, expressing apprehension about future health crises in conflict-affected eastern Congo, where external assistance from organizations like the WHO is crucial.
She lamented that the WHO’s abandonment during hardship is irresponsible, leading to a loss of trust in the organization.