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“System change begins when survivors are heard, believed, and empowered to speak without fear.” Survivor, Amara Region Ethiopia, Needs Assessment Report on Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment: A Victim-Centred Approach (2023)

The launch of EMPOWER  comes as the world is called on to “Give to Gain” this International Women’s Day, to strengthen locally led efforts to end gender-based violence and collaborate in order to finally stop the perpetration of sexual abuse and harassment. Through this collective effort, EMPOWER aims to contribute to a more accountable humanitarian system that places people affected by crisis at its centre.

EMPOWER adopts a survivor-centred approach and reaches beyond the humanitarian sector to draw on lived experience of survivors of and combined expertise, WROs, GBV and disability rights experts, LGBTIQ actors, and other trusted intermediary groups. This collaborative approach aims to drive meaningful local change while generating evidence of impact.

Only 19% of incidents are reported

“I won’t bother because I think no one will read my complaint. Probably they have lots of complaints, so most likely, no one will pay attention to my complaint”, Female Community Member, West Bank

SEAH remains a pervasive problem for the sector and its occurrence represents a fundamental failure in the delivery of quality, accountable support to people in crisis. Proven, effective, safe and trusted approaches to prevent and respond are urgently needed . At its core, EMPOWER recognises that accountability challenges such as PSEAH cannot be solved without the leadership and participation of those most affected – victims and survivors themselves.

According to data from the Harmonised Reporting Scheme, only 19% of SEAH incidents are reported directly by survivors, only half of survivors receive support, fewer than one in three SEAH investigations are substantiated and only a fraction lead to meaningful redress. Survivors are also often not included in driving change forward within the sector.

Research shows survivors face entrenched gender norms, stigma, and fear of retaliation within reporting systems that are often inaccessible, fragmented, or poorly aligned with local realities, leaving many without adequate support or redress.

Martina Brostrom, PSEAH Manager and leader of EMPOWER at the CHS Alliance says “Survivors are often a hidden population, rarely consulted, frequently reduced to having their stories extracted without meaningful involvement in shaping solutions.”

Recognising the role of trusted intermediaries

“The victim prefers to communicate with a neutral professional body that is not affiliated with the police or official institutions, due to concerns about the lack of professionalism within the official sector when dealing with such cases.” Female Community Member, Gaza

The CHS Alliance evidence shows it is often local organisations, faith actors and community groups who are receiving safeguarding reports, yet they are often overlooked and rarely integrated with official mechanisms. EMPOWER will address the vital role trusted intermediaries play in the SEAH landscape and recognise the leadership they bring. In doing so, the programme seeks to demonstrate how courageous collaboration and collective action across the sector can help build safer and more accountable aid.

EMPOWER will first launch in Bangladesh and Ethiopia, working with WROs, survivor-led groups and humanitarians to strengthen awareness of rights and reporting options as well as to co-design trusted and accessible reporting mechanisms. The programme will also support groups to deliver a survivor-centred approach, improve coordination across humanitarian actors and generate evidence to strengthen institutional responses to SEAH.

Join EMPOWER

“Justice for survivors cannot end with the dismissal of a perpetrator. True accountability means ensuring that survivors receive the support, protection, and redress needed to rebuild their lives.” Female Community Member, Cox’s Bazaar

Local leadership will be central to the programme, with participants driving EMPOWER forward. The CHS Alliance is calling on organisations, networks and experts within Bangladesh and Ethiopia from these specific groups to join this exciting new project.

Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to consultations, co-design reporting and support mechanisms, share expertise, and help shape evidence that can influence wider sector change.
EMPOWER would particularly like to hear from:
• Survivor-led groups
• Women’s Rights Organisations
• Community-based organisations
• Disability rights organisations
• PSEAH practitioners and humanitarian actors
• Government and child protection actors
• Researchers and global experts

Organisations based in Bangladesh and Ethiopia interested in collaborating with EMPOWER are encouraged to contact the CHS Alliance EMPOWER team (below) to learn more about how to participate in consultations and programme activities.

The team behind EMPOWER

We are delighted to be joined once again by Tiheyis Engeda and Syed Rashed Bin Jamal, who led the Closing the Accountability Gap project, to drive this important project forward.

In Ethiopia, Tiheyis Engeda will lead the programme’s engagement with national partners, humanitarian actors and Women’s Rights Organisations. In Bangladesh, Syed Rashed Bin Jamal will oversee consultations and collaboration with local organisations and survivor-led initiatives.

From Geneva, Martina Brostrom will provide strategic coordination and oversight, ensuring the programme contributes to wider efforts under the CHS Alliance to strengthen accountability across the humanitarian system.

Quotes from Needs Assessment Report on Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment: A Victim-Centered Approach (2023)