'An absurdity': Experts slam WHO excusal of sex misconduct

Feb 28, 20230

Frank Franklin II, Associated Press file count

FILE - Aichatou Mindaoudou Foreign Minister for Niger addresses the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters Monday, Sept. 28, 2009. Two experts appointed by the World Health Organization to investigate allegations that some of its staffers sexually abused women during an Ebola outbreak in Congo have dismissed the U.N. agency's own efforts to excuse its handling of such misconduct as "an absurdity." (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

GOMA, Congo - Two experts appointed by the World Health Organization to investigate allegations that some of its staffers sexually abused women during an Ebola outbreak in Congo dismissed the U.N. agency's own efforts to excuse its handling of such misconduct as ''an absurdity'' on Monday, saying they were not satisfied that no senior officials have been fired.

Some of the victimized women say - nearly four years later - they are still waiting for the WHO to terminate those responsible or be offered any financial compensation.

In October 2020, Aichatou Mindaoudou and Julienne Lusenge were named by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to head a panel investigating reports that some WHO staffers sexually abused or exploited women in a conflict-ridden region of Congo during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak.

https://www.startribune.com/an-absurdity-experts-slam-who-excusal-of-sex-misconduct/600254690/