“Sexual harassment results from a culture of discrimination and privilege, based on unequal gender relations and power dynamics. It has no place in the United Nations system. Leaders of UN System organizations reiterate their firm commitment to uphold a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment; to strengthen victim-centred prevention and response efforts; and to foster a safe and inclusive working environment.”

CEB Statement

Harassment of any type is antithetical to the principles of the UN, and sexual harassment in particular undermines its credibility and degrades its staff. The Secretary-General and UN system leaders committed to a zero-tolerance approach to tackling sexual harassment, to strengthening victim-centred prevention and response efforts, and fostering a safe and inclusive working environment across the UN system.

In May 2018, CEB issued a CEB Statement on Addressing Sexual Harassment within the Organizations of the UN System in which UN system leaders unequivocally declaring their firm commitment to upholding a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment.

To realize these commitments, the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) established in November 2017 the CEB Task Force on Addressing Sexual Harassment within the organizations of the UN system (‘Task Force’), under the leadership of the former Under-Secretary-General for Management, Strategy, Policy and Compliance, and former Chair of the HLCM, Ms. Jan Beagle, to drive joint action in key priority areas. In September 2019, Ms. Kelly T. Clements, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees and Vice-Chair of HLCM, has been appointed as interim Chair of the Task Force.

Read more on the UN Code of conduct : To Prevent harassment, including sexual harassment, at UN system events

Source : CEB