Can Winnie Byanyima right the wrongs of Oxfam? | The Stream

Summary

The discussion focuses on the systemic issues surrounding sexual abuse scandals within international aid organizations, particularly Oxfam. It explores the failure to report misconduct, the abuse of power, and the cultural problems rooted in the industry. Oxfam's executive director, Winnie Byanyima, acknowledges the organization's shortcomings and outlines efforts to regain trust, including increased safeguards and transparency. The conversation also touches on the 'white savior' complex and the need for deeper reform, with a focus on addressing women's rights and power imbalances within humanitarian work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Oxfam International, one of the largest aid organizations, faced a major scandal in 2018 involving aid workers paying for sex in Haiti in 2010-2011, causing significant damage to its reputation.
• 😀 Winnie Byanyima, Oxfam's current Executive Director, expressed shock and outrage upon learning about the scandal, acknowledging that the organization failed to live up to its values and lost the trust of its supporters.
• 😀 Despite past reforms to prevent sexual misconduct, Oxfam's previous efforts were insufficient, and Byanyima admitted that more needed to be done to prevent such incidents in the future.
• 😀 Oxfam is investigating all its global offices and has introduced measures such as tripling funding for safeguarding, strengthening whistleblowing systems, and implementing more stringent referencing procedures for staff.
• 😀 Acknowledging the deep-rooted issues in the aid sector, Byanyima emphasized that the focus should be on addressing systemic issues like racism, sexism, and neo-colonialism in humanitarian work.
• 😀 The interview touched on the challenges of regaining public trust, with Oxfam now pledging to be fully transparent about misconduct and taking more robust action to restore credibility.
• 😀 Former Oxfam staff member Roland van Hauwermeiren was allowed to resign after being implicated in the Haiti scandal, a decision Byanyima would have handled differently, opting for immediate termination.
• 😀 Several voices within the aid sector argued that the problem is not unique to Oxfam but is endemic across the industry, with power imbalances creating a fertile ground for exploitation and abuse.
• 😀 Teddy Ruge, co-founder of Jaded Aid, highlighted the colonial roots of the aid industry, stressing the need for more responsibility and empathy from those in power when dealing with vulnerable populations.
• 😀 Byanyima, as a Ugandan leading a British-based organization, acknowledged that the issue was not racial but rooted in the abuse of power. She emphasized that women's rights and empowerment must be central to Oxfam’s future efforts in addressing this crisis.

Q & A

What was the initial scandal that Oxfam faced in 2018, and how did it affect the organization?

The scandal involved allegations that some Oxfam staff members paid prostitutes for sex while on assignment in Haiti in 2010 and 2011. This led to the firing of four staff members and the resignation of others, including Roland van Haller Myron, the former country director. Oxfam lost at least 7,000 regular donors as a result of the scandal.

How did Winnie Byanyima, the current Executive Director of Oxfam, respond when she first learned about the scandal?

Winnie Byanyima expressed that she was shocked, hurt, and outraged upon learning about the scandal. She acknowledged the organization's failure to live up to its values, which resulted in a loss of trust from their supporters.

What changes has Oxfam implemented to prevent such scandals from happening again?

Oxfam has strengthened its safeguarding system, tripled funding for safeguarding work, doubled the number of staff working on safeguarding, and implemented a more rigorous referencing system for staff. They also established an independent commission to review their practices and improve their culture.

What does Winnie Byanyima believe is the root cause of the issue, and how does she plan to address it?

Winnie Byanyima believes the issue is rooted in abuse of power, systemic issues of racism, sexism, and colonialism. She plans to address these by empowering women, ensuring they have a voice in humanitarian work, and changing the model of humanitarian aid to prioritize local actors and women's rights.

How did Oxfam handle the situation when Roland van Haller Myron was accused of misconduct?

Oxfam allowed Roland van Haller Myron to resign rather than firing him immediately, which sparked controversy. The previous Oxfam leadership justified this by stating they feared exposing more people involved in the misconduct. However, Winnie Byanyima has stated that such behavior would not be tolerated under her leadership.

What did former Oxfam head Barbara Stocking reveal about the handling of the Haiti scandal?

Barbara Stocking explained that Roland van Haller Myron was kept on temporarily to assist with the investigation. She also mentioned that Oxfam reported the misconduct, though not fully, and that the organization did not initially disclose it was a case of sexual misconduct.

What is the significance of addressing the 'white savior complex' in the context of international aid?

The 'white savior complex' refers to the perception that Westerners, often white, are the only ones capable of helping people in need, particularly in the Global South. Winnie Byanyima, however, prefers to focus on the abuse of power rather than racializing the issue, arguing that women's rights and power imbalances are central to addressing the problem.

Why does Paula Donovan believe the power imbalance in international aid organizations exacerbates the problem of sexual exploitation?

Paula Donovan argues that the power dynamics in international aid organizations create an environment where those with power—such as aid workers—abuse their position. She believes that these organizations often fail to address systemic issues, and the solutions are still being determined by an elite group of people, excluding those who are most affected.

What is the perspective on how the international aid community as a whole is dealing with issues of sexual exploitation and abuse?

The international aid community is grappling with a systemic problem of sexual exploitation and abuse. Many organizations, including Oxfam, have taken steps to improve safeguarding, transparency, and accountability. However, as highlighted by guests like Teddy Rouged, the issue remains widespread, and the aid industry's colonial legacy and power imbalance must be addressed.

What role do local actors and communities play in Oxfam's future approach to humanitarian work?

Oxfam is shifting towards a model that prioritizes local actors, empowering them to respond to crises directly. This includes committing to channel 30% of their resources through local organizations by 2020 and focusing on women's rights and leadership in humanitarian responses.