#NoExcuse

WHO - World Health Organization
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Biweekly

The #NoExcuse Podcast is produced by the World Health Organization's Department for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Misconduct. There is no excuse for sexual misconduct in the humanitarian or development sectors. Many people don't want to think about the often-ignored topic of sexual misconduct by our personnel. Shining a light on this dark and painful topic is an important step to addressing it. Poet, novelist, and survivor Dr. Maya Angelou wrote, "What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it." As she suggests, changing how we view the issue is half the battle. It is within this need to change our views in a space of learning that the #NoExcuse podcast was born. Join us as we delve deep into the topic, share stories of work in the field, surface issues to prevention, and explore making zero tolerance for sexual misconduct a part of workplace culture - WHO's new normal. This podcast will examine different challenges and solutions through the perspectives of people who are already doing the work to create the change we need and want. This podcast series contains discussions on sexual misconduct. Topics such as sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment may be discussed. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the World Health Organization (WHO) or any other affiliated organization. The discussions and opinions are meant for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listener discretion is advised, and we encourage seeking professional support for any personal issues discussed in this episode.

  1. 5d ago

    From Accountability to Healing: Building Trust Together

    Trust is the foundation of every healthy workplace, every effective health service, and every meaningful relationship between institutions and the people they serve. It allows individuals to seek support, share concerns, work collaboratively, and believe that they will be treated with dignity and respect. Yet trust is not automatic. It is built through consistent actions, meaningful accountability, and a willingness to confront harm when it occurs. In this episode of #NoExcuse, host Guni Dias is joined by Professor Rosalind Searle, an organisational psychologist at the University of Glasgow whose research focuses on trust, ethics, and institutional integrity, and Professor Louise Stone, a clinician, researcher, and advocate whose work examines sexual misconduct and the systems that enable or prevent it. Together, they explore how trust develops within professional and institutional settings, why abuses of power can remain hidden for so long, and what makes sexual misconduct particularly difficult to recognise, disclose, and address. Drawing on research, professional experience, and lived realities, they discuss how organizational cultures, hierarchies, and social norms can influence both the likelihood of harm and the willingness of individuals to come forward. The conversation also examines the vital connection between accountability and healing. While accountability is often viewed as a process of investigation and response, the speakers argue that it is also essential to restoring confidence, supporting those affected by harm, and creating environments where people feel safe, respected, and heard. They reflect on the role that leaders, colleagues, institutions, and communities all play in preventing misconduct and fostering cultures of trust. Ultimately, this episode is a conversation about our shared responsibility to create environments where trust can be given safely, where concerns can be raised without fear, and where justice, dignity, and healing are possible after harm occurs. Please note: this episode contains discussion of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and abuse of power. Listener discretion is advised. #NoExcuse is produced by the World Health Organization. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of WHO.

  2. May 19

    Sustaining Zero Tolerance in Times of Change

    2021 marked one of the most challenging chapters in WHO's history—one that struck at the heart of its values and its obligation to do no harm. The response demanded more than correction; it required transformation. What followed was a sustained and intentional effort to fundamentally change how the Organization understands, prevents and responds to sexual misconduct. With the conclusion of the three-year strategy, WHO now moves into a consolidation phase, supported by a restructured department and new leadership for this area of work. The question is no longer how to respond to a crisis. It is how to protect, sustain and deepen what was built, and what that requires of everyone, at a moment when the world has grown in complexity and instability. In this episode, two leaders sit down together: Dr. Gaya Gamhewage, who founded WHO's approach to the prevention and response to sexual misconduct and led the teams that built its foundations, now serving as Acting Director of Communications; and Dr. Alia El-Yassir, who now directs the Department for Gender, Rights, Equity and Sexual Misconduct Prevention, and is leading the work into its next phase. They speak honestly about what this period demands from WHO, from Member States, and from everyone who has a stake in this not going quiet.

  3. 12/02/2025

    Academia vs Practice: A Decolonial Approach to Sexual Misconduct in Aid

    In this episode, sociologists and practitioners Dr. Nof Nasser-Eddin and Dr. Nour Abu Assab unpack what it really means to take a decolonial approach in the aid sector and why this shift is essential for meaningful prevention of sexual misconduct. They challenge one of the sector's most entrenched assumptions: the belief that complete prevention is possible, calling it "the myth of prevention". Instead, they argue for approaches rooted in structural sensitivity, genuine community engagement, and transformative justice, drawing from lived experiences and frontline realities. Throughout the conversation, they bridge theory and practice, making complex concepts deeply accessible.

  4. 11/07/2025

    Women Led Organizations in the Frontline: Voices from Palestine and the DRC

    In this episode, a powerful conversation with two women in parts of the world vulnerable to a heightened risk of sexual misconduct within the aid system    Sandrine Lusamba is Executive Co-Ordinator from SOFEPADI - an organisation supporting the survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Khawla Al-Azraq is the Director of the Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women in Palestine. Both share the experiences of survivors of sexual violence and the holistic support mechanisms offered by local women's organizations.    We hear about the importance of respect and dignity in aid delivery, the need for safeguards to protect those who report misconduct, and the challenge of engaging men in the reporting of sexual violence.

  5. 10/07/2025

    Harassment vs. Sexual Harassment: Does the difference matter?

    Emily May is a founder, activist, and author dedicated to ending all forms of harassment. In this episode, she discusses the impacts of harassment on an individual. Emily talks about the significance of bystander intervention in creating safer environments, particularly in the workplace. She also emphasises the necessity of laws to enforce humane treatment, but also the importance of culture in shifting behaviour.    We hear about the need for a holistic approach to tackling all types of harassment and promoting a culture of care and respect.

  6. 08/29/2025

    From Anger to Love: Speaking Up Through Storytelling

    Adelle Onyango is a renowned media personality and campaigner against sexual violence in Kenya. Adelle says that when she originally started campaigning, it was fueled by anger shaped by her own experience. Now, she says her work is fueled by love for the women she supports.    The conversation covers Adelle's early campaigns and her work in providing psychosocial support for survivors. She talks about the power of storytelling in raising awareness and empathy, and reflects on the challenges of securing sustainable funding for the programs she runs.    Adelle argues for the need for a mindset and language shift in the aid sector, and the need for systemic change in how aid is delivered.

  7. 07/21/2025

    INTERPOL: Tracking Sexual Offenders in the Aid Sector

    In this episode of the #NoExcuse podcast, Guni Dias speaks with Elizabeth Wright from Interpol about her work within Project Soteria. The discussion explores the lack of empathy among offenders, the patterns and methods of sexual exploitation, and the challenges faced by investigators. Wright elaborates on Project Soteria, aimed at preventing sexual misconduct in the aid sector through innovative tools and global cooperation. The conversation also covers the importance of thorough, victim-centric investigations and the role of organisations in taking allegations seriously as well as looking at some of the worrying trends Interpol are seeing across the world.

  8. 06/03/2025

    Why Men Abuse: Sex, Power, and Masculine Norms

    Professor Michael Flood is a renowned researcher, author, and advocate focusing on masculinity, violence prevention, and gender equality. In this episode, he talks about how the norms of masculinity and male entitlement are interlinked with sexual misconduct towards women. He talks about how sexual misconduct is mainly an issue for men, how the behaviour of some men make all men seem like a threat, and how men have a critical role in challenging unacceptable behaviour. Professor Flood also sheds light on the cultural and organizational factors that contribute to sexual misconduct, the distinct dynamics of online abuse and talks about the equal importance of empowering victims and holding perpetrators accountable. 01:26 Michael's Journey into Gender Studies 03:47 Understanding Masculinities and Sexual Misconduct 12:01 Cultural and Organizational Factors 21:42 Online Abuse and Its Challenges 23:25 Advice for Organizations

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About

The #NoExcuse Podcast is produced by the World Health Organization's Department for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Misconduct. There is no excuse for sexual misconduct in the humanitarian or development sectors. Many people don't want to think about the often-ignored topic of sexual misconduct by our personnel. Shining a light on this dark and painful topic is an important step to addressing it. Poet, novelist, and survivor Dr. Maya Angelou wrote, "What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it." As she suggests, changing how we view the issue is half the battle. It is within this need to change our views in a space of learning that the #NoExcuse podcast was born. Join us as we delve deep into the topic, share stories of work in the field, surface issues to prevention, and explore making zero tolerance for sexual misconduct a part of workplace culture - WHO's new normal. This podcast will examine different challenges and solutions through the perspectives of people who are already doing the work to create the change we need and want. This podcast series contains discussions on sexual misconduct. Topics such as sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment may be discussed. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the World Health Organization (WHO) or any other affiliated organization. The discussions and opinions are meant for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Listener discretion is advised, and we encourage seeking professional support for any personal issues discussed in this episode.

Information

  • Creator
    WHO - World Health Organization
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © WHO
  • Show Website
    #NoExcuse