<p>UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem recently visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan as part of her role as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Championship on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (PSEA). &copy; UNFPA/Luis Tato&nbsp;</p>

<p>During her trip, Dr. Kanem met with women from communities vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including survivors of sexual assault and those who must travel great distances to reach aid distribution points. The women provided recommendations on how to minimize the risk of abuse and exploitation. &copy; UNFPA/Luis Tato&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr. Kanem brought these recommendations to a network of humanitarians responsible for protecting communities from sexual exploitation and abuse. They included proposals such as improving the efficacy of aid delivery, involving women and persons with disabilities in aid distribution committees, and consulting with women on the location and security of water points. &copy; UNFPA/Luis Tato</p>

<p>Dr. Kanem also spoke with officials at the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, emphasizing the need for dialogue and consultation with women and community members. &copy; UNFPA/Luis Tato&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr. Kanem also met with community members and leaders in Sudan. Here, she speaks with women in Sudan&rsquo;s Blue Nile State. &copy; UNFPA/Sufiyan Abdel Mouti.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And she liaised with the PSEA network in Sudan, as well. Members of the network are committed to strengthening coherence and coordination to effectively prevent and address abuse and exploitation. &copy; UNFPA/Sufiyan Abdel Mouti</p>