In a recent interagency executive roundtable, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have reaffirmed their commitment to addressing sexual misconduct in federal workplaces. The roundtable, co-hosted by both agencies, was led by Paloma Adams-Allen, USAID Deputy Administrator for Management and Resources, and Rosie Hidalgo, DOJ Director for the Office on Violence Against Women.
“This event reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s collective commitment to creating safe workplaces for staff, particularly by renewing commitments related to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct,” said Shejal Pulivarti, Deputy Spokesperson for USAID.
The agencies have committed to concrete actions including advancing data-driven prevention and response approaches, and creating a pathway to share better resources and learning related to people-centered and trauma-informed practices across the Federal Government.
The roundtable builds upon the 2021 Government-Wide Strategic Plan to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce, which called for agencies to take proactive measures to create more respectful, inclusive, and safe environments for the Federal workforce.
“Over the course of two days, participants worked together to discuss trends, best practices, and shared lessons to advance work in this space,” Pulivarti added.
Since 2018, USAID’s Action Alliance for Preventing Sexual Misconduct has led the Agency’s efforts to use evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches to create a culture of allyship and accountability around issues of sexual misconduct in the workplace. USAID remains committed to advancing people-centered policies, systems, and processes to better prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
