The following is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala:

Today, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick and Birgitta Tazelaar, Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, launched a Community of Practice to strengthen employment accountability, referencing, and screening to prevent the circulation of perpetrators of sexual misconduct in the aid sector. This initiative uses a practical approach based on case studies to identify best practices to prevent the sexual abuse, exploitation, and harassment of those involved in our programs.

The Community of Practice unites experts in law, investigations, human resources, capacity-building, organizational culture, and risk-management from a diverse range of organizations to share proven models and identify structural barriers. The Community of Practice will convene virtually throughout the coming months to formulate an agenda for continued cooperation among donors, partners, academics, and the broader aid community-to achieve a future free from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH).

The Community of Practice builds on the previous work of the international community to address SEAH, including the Recommendation on Ending Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance: Key Pillars of Prevention and Response, issued by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD-DAC) in 2019; and the Commitments of the 2018 Safeguarding Summit.

USAID is dedicated to strengthening protections and safeguards related to SEAH across the entire aid sector, as part of our accountability to those whom we serve. This Community of Practice underscores USAID's continued commitment to the safety and dignity of our staff, implementing partners, and beneficiaries.

For more information, it is available here.