13 June 2023

These are the community health workers who are the heartbeat of global primary health care

In every corner of the globe, community health workers – the majority of whom are women - are key to the success of vaccination and primary care health services. We know that when health services are designed and delivered by members of the communities they serve, they’re far more likely to prove successful. If we’re going to reach children from…, As community health workers, women are so often on the frontline , Globally, female community health workers are working tirelessly to reach out to communities and immunize children, in addition to providing other essential primary health care services. Kamala, Maria, Sadiya and Bahareh are among the remarkable community health workers who bring essential services to children and mothers in Nepal, Ecuador,…, A global shortage in community health workers is a gender issue, In most parts of the world, community health workers are often low-paid and denied opportunities for training and professional growth. And we know that most community health workers globally are women. Furthermore, although they form the bulk of the health workforce, women have long been underrepresented in leadership roles.   Women make up nearly…, These are the steps we need to take to empower community health workers and set them up for success , It’s imperative that community health workers are provided with good and regular pay, and decent working conditions. That’s the minimum needed to recognize their dedication and invaluable contributions. Some of the other steps that need to be taken to ensure that community health workers are equipped to deliver to their full potential include:…, It’s crucial that we empower community health workers to succeed and thrive in their work, Nurse Parvina Khaydarova (front left) and Dilbar Boltaeva (front right), who is a physician, make house calls to vaccinate children in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Nurse Parvina Khaydarova (front left) and Dilbar Boltaeva (front right), who is a physician, make house calls to vaccinate children in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. As we’ve learned during the COVID…
26 March 2021

UNICEF's fight against sexual misconduct

UNICEF is committed to tackling all forms of sexual misconduct and sexual violence. The United Nations distinguishes between sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual violence against children. Sexual exploitation refers to any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for…, Sexual exploitation and abuse, In every context in which UNICEF operates, whether in emergency or non-emergency settings, people trust development and humanitarian workers to assist and protect them. The vast majority do so with professionalism and integrity. However, some aid workers abuse their position of power through the sexual exploitation and abuse of those who depend on…, UNICEF’s programming to protect children, UNICEF’s Protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse Child Protection programming helps prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse. We’re on the ground in more than 150 countries and territories, providing a first line of response for children at risk. UNICEF aims to provide timely assistance to every victim of sexual…, UNICEF’s work with implementing partners, UNICEF works together with our implementing partners to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse in their operations. UNICEF requires that all civil-society-organization implementing partners are assessed on their capacity to tackle sexual exploitation and abuse and meet specific core standards. One way that UNICEF supports…, UNICEF’s work within the United Nations system, UNICEF actively participates in joint United Nations (UN) efforts to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse. Find more information on these efforts led by the UN Special Coordinator on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse here , and those led by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee here ., UNICEF’s public accountability with respect to allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, UNICEF publicly posts information about reported cases of sexual exploitation and abuse on the UN system-wide tracker, whether the allegations involve personnel or partners implementing its programmes .  Annually, UNICEF’s Executive Director certifies that all known UNICEF cases of sexual exploitation and abuse have been or are being addressed.…, Sexual harassment, UNICEF considers sexual harassment to be a form of misconduct, and takes any reports of sexual harassment seriously. Sexual harassment may occur in the workplace or in connection with work, for example during official travel or social functions related to work. While typically involving a pattern of conduct, sexual harassment may take the form of…, Report sexual exploitation or abuse, sexual harassment or other types of misconduct, If you become aware of credible information regarding a possible situation of sexual exploitation or abuse, sexual harassment or other types of misconduct, please report it directly or through your head of office to UNICEF’s Office of Internal Audit and Investigations  by emailing integrity1@unicef.org . If you are uncertain that the situation is…, Learn more