At the front line of this endeavor, UNOPS ARHC provides vital support to its implementing partners, ensuring the protection of affected individuals and communities within the HIV, TB and malaria programmes. Consequently, UNOPS ARHC’s implementing partners are required to meet the United Nations standards related to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
Between 2021 and 2023, UNOPS ARHC conducted comprehensive training sessions for its Sub-recipients (SRs) responsible for the implementation of Global Fund grants across the Greater Mekong Subregion, encompassing Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. This training, facilitated with technical guidance from the UNOPS PSEA team in 2020 and 2021, equips SRs to engage in PSEA-related activities actively, meeting essential requirements over the three-year period (2021–2023) throughout the implementation of the Global Fund grants.
In this story, we aim to spotlight the exemplary efforts of the Myanmar Health Assistant Association (MHAA), one of our SRs in Myanmar, dedicated to implementing TB and malaria projects in the country.
MHAA received comprehensive training from UNOPS ARHC on the protection of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH) concepts and principles, including focal point training, minimum requirements training, and risk assessment training. Empowered with this knowledge, MHAA's PSEAH focal point confidently leads internal PSEAH sessions for all staff and volunteers within her organization.
Ma May Thet Hnin, Program Coordinator of MHAA and PSEAH focal point, said, "The well-being and safety of our beneficiaries are our top priorities. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse or exploitation. Our staff undergo extensive training on PSEA protocols, and we actively encourage open communication to ensure a safe and supportive environment."
In her capacity as focal point, Ma May Thet Hnin conducts training sessions for colleagues during monthly orientation sessions for new arrivals. She is also responsible for managing the phone hotline, which serves as a critical PSEAH response mechanism.
To disseminate PSEAH information to communities and ensure comprehension, MHAA provides training to its field coordinator, field officers, and volunteers, promoting awareness within the community.
"In the communities we serve, building trust is crucial. We work hard to establish strong relationships with our clients, and part of that trust is assuring them that we are here to support and protect them. We make sure they know how to report any concerns regarding abuse or exploitation,” said Ma May Thet Hnin.
Community awareness sessions are integrated into regular health education sessions. Through active engagement with local communities, MHAA staff foster a collective sense of responsibility for preventing abuse and exploitation. Through open dialogues and information-sharing sessions, community members gain a deeper understanding of their rights and how to respond to SEAH-related issues.
Daw Win Theingi Maung, a 31-year-old resident of Inn Wa Village, Momauk Township, Kachin State, attended a community session led by MHAA staff. She said, “I believe that raising awareness about PSEAH is essential for the well-being of our community. By coming together and educating ourselves, we create a safer environment for everyone, and we send a powerful message that such behaviour will not be tolerated."
Saw Aung Myo Kyaw, a 20-year-old resident of Chaung Sone Village, Hlaingbwe Township, Kayin State, emphasized the significance of such knowledge for young people like him. "It's vital for us, as young individuals, to be aware of PSEAH. We need to understand our rights, establish boundaries, and support our peers. Awareness empowers us to create a safer environment for everyone."
UNOPS ARHC will continue to support PSEAH implementation for all SRs, government entities, NGOs, CSOs, and other institutions for those who are working with us through the Global Fund grants in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
