The World Bank’s private investment arm is refusing to directly compensate individuals who faced sexual, physical, and financial harms at a chain of schools it funded in Africa and India, despite requests from the people who were hurt and pressure from civil society advocates, U.S. senators, and an internal watchdog.
World Bank Group’s Executive Board will vote whether to approve the International Finance Corporation’s plan to remedy harms relating to its $13.5 million investment in Bridge International Academies. The Compliance Advisor Ombudsman found failures relating to school safety and labor practices at Bridge schools in Kenya. The CAO asked the IFC to work with Bridge to establish processes to compensate the affected individuals for harms suffered. Yet the IFC’s proposal declines to do so, according to sources familiar with the case.
Civil society groups are criticizing the IFC’s response to the CAO’s findings in both cases. The IFC knew about the problems but failed to act when they became aware of them. This behavior is seen as reckless and complicit, prompting calls for establishing a remedy and contributing to it for those who have been harmed.
The IFC has a history of resisting direct payments as a remedy for harm in investigations involving sexual abuse at Bridge schools in Kenya. Instead, they agreed to fund programs that provide support services to survivors of child sexual abuse on a case-by-case basis.
Experts suggest that providing direct compensation to survivors is the best way for the IFC to acknowledge their suffering and give them autonomy in deciding how to heal and move forward. There is global precedent for providing compensation to survivors of abuse, including sexual abuse.
The IFC is facing compensation requests in ongoing investigations related to Bridge International Academies in Kenya. The CAO found preventable injuries and fatalities at Bridge schools during the IFC’s investment period, highlighting failures in due diligence processes.
Despite recommendations from the CAO and pressure from various groups and senators, the IFC has not included provisions for direct compensation in its proposed management action plans. Civil society organizations have criticized the lack of commitment to remedy by the IFC.
The World Bank board approved the IFC’s plan, which focuses on providing support programs for survivors of child sexual abuse but falls short of offering direct compensation for harm suffered. Civil society groups continue to advocate for direct financial compensation for survivors.
The process of seeking reparations and working with the CAO and civil society groups has been restorative for survivors like Emily, who has become a leader for other survivors. She emphasizes the importance of having a voice and continues to fight for justice in honor of her father’s memory.
The World Bank’s financing arm’s rejection of calls to directly compensate victims of harm at Kenya schools has sparked criticism from civil society groups and advocates, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by survivors of abuse in accessing justice and reparations.