Incident: Cultural Insensitivity, Pakistan

Muslim clerics are calling for all women working for international aid organizations to be expelled from earthquake struck areas in Pakistan by the end of the month. "The clerics accuse the women, including Pakistanis employed by foreign non-government organisations (NGOs), of dressing improperly, mixing with men and drinking alcohol, which is banned in Islamic Pakistan."

This is a classic case of cultural insensitivity potentially leading to security incidents. The clerics haven't stated what actions might be taken if women staff members don't leave, but considering recent protests in Afghanistan, NGO operations could be significantly impacted. Cultural insensitivity in volatile political or social environments simply cannot be tolerated by management. Lax attitudes put individuals and programs at much higher levels of risk.