Powerful Men, Failing Upwards

The Aid Industry and the ‘Me Too’ Movement

Bibliographic Data

ID22169403
AuthorsCharlotte Lydia Riley (0000-0003-4901-6073, University of Southampton, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume2
Issue3
Pages49-55
Publication date2020-09-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Humanitarian Affairs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2515-6411 • E-ISSN: 2515-6411
PublisherManchester University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.7227/jha.052
OpenAlexW3134774163
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited6

In 2018, the global #MeToo movement turned its attention to the aid industry, after scandals at Oxfam and Save the Children highlighted the sexual harassment, abuse and assault prevalent in the sector. This article explores #MeToo in the context of the aid industry (informally known by many participants as #AidToo), particularly within a British context. The article argues that the aid industry exists in a historical, social and political space that is particularly volatile. The abusive behaviour of men in the sector is shaped and enabled by race, class and gender inequalities, which undermine many of the stated aims of international aid programmes. The humanitarian and development aid sector will not eradicate this behaviour until it recognises how it is enabled and encouraged by these inequalities. The article argues that the aid sector needs to develop an ethical code of conduct around sexual relationships, harassment and abuse that recognises power inequalities within the sector and seeks to protect vulnerable individuals

Criminology · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · Harassment · Inequality · Poison control · Political science · Politics · Private sector · Public relations · Sexual abuse · Social inequality · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Gender, Security, and Conflict · Law · Medicine · Peacebuilding and International Security · Sex work and related issues

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access