The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reinforced its commitment to transforming agrifood systems by integrating Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) measures into its programmes. This initiative was highlighted during the Zimbabwe Emergency Food Production Project (ZEFPP) exit and sustainability strategy development workshop, where FAO collaborated with implementing partners to ensure the protection of vulnerable communities as part of the project’s continuity and long-term impact.
FAO’s PSEA Focal Person, Leticia Njowola, emphasized that the organization’s efforts are guided by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, applicable to all UN personnel, implementing partners, and service providers. She explained that preventing and addressing such abuses is vital to uphold human rights, strengthen institutional accountability, and build trust with communities. Integrating PSEA measures across project cycles ensures governance integrity and supports inclusive, rights-based sustainable agrifood systems transformation.
During the session, FAO introduced the PSEA in the Partnership Cycle framework, which embeds risk mitigation throughout project implementation. This process includes assessing partner capacity, developing capacity-strengthening plans, integrating PSEA indicators into agreements, providing training and technical support during implementation, and continuously monitoring and reporting on progress to ensure compliance and accountability.
The ZEFPP project, implemented under the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF) of the African Development Bank, was established to address food insecurity caused by the Russia–Ukraine conflict, climate change, and other crises disrupting agricultural supply chains. Implementing partners welcomed FAO’s training, recognizing its importance in strengthening trust and ethical conduct while working with vulnerable communities. Representatives from the AFC Land and Development Bank and the Seed Services Institute highlighted the training’s practical relevance, noting that it empowers them to handle community interactions responsibly and ethically.
The session also included interactive exercises distinguishing Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse, and Sexual Harassment through real-life scenarios, helping participants better identify and prevent such risks in their daily operations. This participatory approach deepened awareness of appropriate conduct and strengthened partners’ ability to apply PSEA principles in their work.
Government representatives reaffirmed their commitment to integrating PSEA safeguards into national agricultural initiatives. Abraham Mashumba, Director of Business Development, Markets and Trade in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, stated that the ZEFPP sustainability roadmap would incorporate strategies to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination, especially in empowering women and youth in rural areas.
FAO concluded that the inclusion of PSEA measures within the ZEFPP sustainability framework is essential to ensure integrity and accountability in agrifood systems transformation. As the project transitions to its sustainability phase, implementing partners pledged to mainstream PSEA principles within their organizations, ensuring lasting protection, transparency, and trust across all future initiatives.
