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Panel investigating bullying, harassment at UNAIDS finds ‘boy’s club,’ calls for firing of head

By Jon Cohen

An independent panel that reviewed the culture at the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has issued a scathing report that calls for the ouster of Executive Director Michel Sidibé. The panel, which was initiated in July by Sidibé after public allegations of bullying, sexual harassment and abuse were leveled at UNAIDS, interviewed and surveyed a total of 500 staffers. It concluded a “boy’s club” culture exists that does not effectively prevent or address sexual harassment, bullying, and abuse of power. The panel said UNAIDS has a “vacuum of accountability.” and concluded “The  UNAIDS  Secretariat  is in crisis, a  crisis  which  threatens  its  vital  work.” UNAIDS issues authoritative epidemiological updates about the epidemic, highlights shortcomings in responses and funding, and leads campaigns to address problems.

ScienceInsider is seeking comments on the report; this post will be updated. 

Source: Science Mag