Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organisation (WHO) and 42 African Member States have unveiled a new safeguarding standard aimed at preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in joint health operations across the continent.
The initiative positions Africa as a global frontrunner in reforming accountability systems within health and humanitarian responses.
The announcement follows the African Strategic Conference on Prevention and Response to Sexual Misconduct, held from 17–20 November in Pretoria. The conference focused on integrating a continent-wide framework that protects both communities and health workers.
The initiative builds on the PRSEAH Accountability Framework endorsed at the 78th World Health Assembly. The framework serves as a voluntary but adaptable guide for ministries of health to institutionalise safeguarding, align policies with UN standards and close long-standing gaps—particularly around sexual harassment, which many older protocols failed to address.
Key pillars include establishing clear codes of conduct, providing mandatory training for frontline workers and ensuring robust incident-management systems with survivor-centred reporting channels and timely investigations. Member States also discussed emergency preparedness, risk assessment and strategies for embedding safeguards into national health systems.
“With the region managing more than 160 public health emergencies every year, ethical standards are critical to maintaining community trust,” WHO representatives said.
Alia El-Yassir, WHO Director for Gender, Rights, Equity and Sexual Misconduct Prevention, said safeguarding is inseparable from justice and human rights. “When women are safe and respected, societies thrive,” she added.
The initiative coincides with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. WHO says African leadership in adopting the framework will serve as a model for global rollout as more nations work to strengthen survivor protection in frontline health environments.
About the Author
Otamere Gladness 
Hussaini Ibrahim 
