The World Bank has been criticized for not adequately addressing reports of child abuse within a school network that it financially supported in Kenya.
The Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), the bank’s internal watchdog, discovered that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the bank did not meet its own standards for environmental and social issues prior to providing funding for Bridge International Academies in 2014. During its oversight of the investment in the project, which ended last year, the IFC also failed to fulfill its obligations.
The CAO’s report, which was submitted to the IFC in August and reviewed by the Guardian, stated that the corporation was aware of accusations of mistreatment but did not take sufficient action to address them or implement preventative measures to prevent future occurrences.
The CAO reported that there have been 21 instances of child sexual abuse committed by teachers at Bridge schools from 2014 to 2021.
In 2016, Bridge acknowledged that 10 instances of child sexual abuse were reported at one of its schools. The organization took action by terminating the employment of the accused teachers, reporting the incidents to the authorities, providing psychological support to the victims, and communicating with the parents and communities of the children involved.
According to David Pred, the executive director of Inclusive Development International, the IFC has ignored potential risks and instances of child sexual abuse despite being an organization dedicated to advocating for communities affected by investment projects.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), which supports private sector initiatives, provided $13.5 million (£10.7 million) to the for-profit school network, consisting of 200 schools, between 2014 and last year. However, the IFC recently ceased its funding without giving a specific explanation. This decision aligns with the bank’s overall policy of no longer financing private schools that charge fees.
Makhtar Diop, the managing director of the IFC, expressed concern over the allegations of child sexual abuse at one of the bank’s projects. In a letter dated November 16, Diop responded to a request from 32 civil society groups for an independent investigation into the IFC’s actions regarding the Bridge case. Diop emphasized that the IFC has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse in its financed projects and commended the bravery of the survivors who came forward.
He stated, “We are currently examining the [CAO] report and are dedicated to addressing the results carefully and openly.”
The bank collaborated with Bridge to create a policy for protecting children, employed staff specifically for child protection, and enlisted the help of a global expert to enhance their policies. Bridge stated that they have consistently implemented thorough child protection measures since the inception of their school chain in 2008.
Margaux Day, the director of policy at Accountability Counsel, questioned the ability of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to improve in the future if they cannot properly handle such a significant and clear-cut case.
In October, US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Peter Welch sent a letter to the bank expressing their worries regarding the Bridge case. They also supported demands for an impartial investigation. The United States holds the majority stake in the World Bank Group.
In 2018, the East African Centre for Human Rights (EACHRights) filed a complaint about health, safety, and labor issues at Bridge schools. As the CAO investigated, cases of sexual abuse were uncovered. EACHRights is currently working with Bridge to mediate discussions with the victims regarding other reported violations at the schools.
A limited amount of IFC investments lead to CAO investigations. According to CAO employees who requested anonymity, their investigations have faced resistance from World Bank management for a significant amount of time. They stated that the Bridge case has reached unprecedented levels.
The World Bank Group did not provide a response to the Guardian’s inquiries regarding the CAO report. Instead, they directed the Guardian to their response addressing concerns from civil society organizations.
The IFC announced that it has initiated a thorough examination to identify projects that carry a higher potential for gender-based violence. Additionally, they have enlisted the help of four specialists in this area to assist with this effort. Meanwhile, the World Bank is currently reassessing its approach to dealing with projects that result in environmental or social damage.
According to human rights organizations, the bank has been hesitant to provide compensation to those affected, instead delegating that responsibility to the groups it supports. Day stated, “The IFC is still shifting the burden of risk onto communities rather than taking responsibility for itself.” If the IFC’s response to the Bridge incident is any indication of its approach towards addressing issues, there is cause for concern.
Source: theguardian.com
