The Women's Equality Party went to Save the Children's headquarters to protest their handling of harassment cases.
Published 6 March 2018
Save the Children International's board today agreed to meet a witness to the sexual harassment that took place at their UK organisation, after a protest by the Women’s Equality Party.
While Women's Equality Party activists protested outside, Alexia Pepper de Caires, the co-leader of the Women’s Equality Party Hackney branch and former Save the Children employee, stormed today’s board meeting of Save the Children International to demand that those in leadership positions, including Sir Alan Parker, take responsibility for the failures that took place.
Alexia demanded that the board hear testimony about the wrongdoing without Sir Alan Parker present - which they have agreed to do tomorrow.
Live recording of Alexia storming the board room
Alexia Pepper de Caires, former Save the Children employee and co-leader of the Women’s Equality Party Hackney branch, said:
“I am pleased that the Save the Children International Board will now meet me and hear my testimony. Women have a right not to be sexually harassed, abused or assaulted by their colleagues. They also have a right to be listened to by those in power at an organisation.
"A first step towards justice for those who were mistreated is for Alan Parker, the chairman of the board, to resign his position. Only when there is true accountability will others feel empowered to come forward with their stories."
Hannah Peaker, Women’s Equality Party chief of staff, said:
“It should not require direct action to make the Save the Children board face up to their responsibilities and listen to those who have real experience of harassment.
"The culture of impunity and cover-ups that was allowed to flourish in the organisation must now come to an end, and those who oversaw the abuse of power must be held to account, starting with Alan Parker.
"WE are proud to stand alongside Alexia and the other brave women speaking out against this wrongdoing."
