Having regard to:
(i) “Tidewater Joint Statement on Combating Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in the Development and Humanitarian Sectors”, endorsed by Development Ministers and representatives of DAC Members during the 50th annual Tidewater meeting (Maryland, 3-5 June 2018), where Development Ministers and heads of aid agencies called for joint action on combating sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (https://www.oecd.org/dac/Tidewater-Joint-Statement-on-Combating-Sexual-Exploitation-and-Abuse.pdf);
(ii) the “Whistler Declaration on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in International Assistance”, signed by G7 finance and development ministers, in advance of the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec (Whistler, May 31-June 2 2018), where ministers pledged to deliver on their commitment zero tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and encourage other governments to do the same (https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2018/amc-gac/FR5-144-2018-17-eng.pdf); and
(iii) the recognized need to ensure a human-rights based approach that does no harm in development co-operation and humanitarian assistance and to integrate a survivor- and victim-centred approach, taking into account that sexual exploitation, abuse and harassement, which can constitute a violation or abuse of human rights, are deeply rooted in structural inequality, especially gender inequality,
OECD/DAC members signed, on July 12 2019, the “Recommendation on Ending Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance”, by which they agree to:
1. Develop policies and professional conduct standards and seek to foster organisational change and leadership on SEA and SH in the provision of international aid.
2. Develop or support survivor – and victim-centred response and support mechanisms.
3. Establish organizational reporting and response systems and procedures for the prevention of SEA and SH.
4. Conduct training, raise awareness and communicate on SEA and SH prevention.
5. Ensure international coordination for SEA and SH prevention and response.
6. Develop mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation and reporting on SEA and SH prevention and response.