In this compelling episode of the WHO #NoExcuse Podcast, we sit down with Tarana Burke, the visionary founder of the #MeToo movement, whose work has ignited a global reckoning around sexual violence and misconduct. Tarana takes us back to the origins of the movement, sharing the powerful vision and the challenges she faced in bringing it to life. She reflects on the movement’s impact and explores how lessons from #MeToo can be applied to the aid sector to address sexual misconduct, foster survivor-centered approaches, and drive systemic change.
As someone now working with UN Women on the ACT program, Tarana also shares insights on sustaining momentum in advocacy, the importance of meaningful partnerships, and the critical steps organizations must take to prioritize prevention, accountability, and healing.

Mirko Fernandez is a victim advocate at the Global Fund. In this episode, he talks about the complexities of preventing and responding to sexual misconduct in the aid sector.

Mirko shares how his career was shaped by his parents, who were Chilean exiles, and their activism against human rights violations in their home country. We also hear about his work in forensic anthropology and his advocacy for marginalised communities.

He talks about the importance of allyship, the role of education in promoting rights, and the challenges faced by victims during the investigation process. The conversation also touches on the psychological and emotional demands of victim advocacy work and strategies for self-care and resilience within this field.