Refugees International: Articles: 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence: Sexual Exploitation & Peacekeeping

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16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence: Sexual Exploitation & Peacekeeping

Haiti 2005: Woman Receives Supplies from UN Peacekeepers
11/25/2006

Refugees International joins the 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence to focus attention on how the effects of displacement are experienced differently by men and women. RI is dedicated to building greater awareness of GBV and incorporates a gender analysis of the situation of all displaced people and peacekeepers.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION & PEACEKEEPING

The influx of large numbers of unaccompanied foreign men—including peacekeepers—into post-conflict societies is often associated with increased incidents of gender-based violence such as in Liberia and Haiti. Peacekeeping missions are not the exception. A culture that tolerates sexual exploitation and abuse and a tradition of silence has evolved in UN peacekeeping missions.

Most peacekeepers and humanitarian workers are not interested in sexually exploiting the population that they are trying to protect. But sexual exploitation has become a social norm in many of these countries. RI is advocating for integrating a greater gender perspective into peacekeeping missions, including more training in gender awareness and reporting mechanisms and punishments within the UN for violations. Approaches to sexual exploitation must be changed to reflect the fact that sexual exploitation and abuse are primarily problems of abuse of power that merit disciplinary action, and only secondarily problems of sexual behavior.

In addition to holding peacekeepers and humanitarian staff responsible for violations, RI also advocates for greater attention to the needs of vulnerable persons in the form of income generation projects and more gender-sensitive mechanisms for food distribution and firewood provision.

Introduction	Domestic Violence	Rape & Sexual Violence
Reproductive Health & HIV/AIDS	Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration & Repatriation (DDRR)	Human Trafficking
Child Soldiers	Sexual Exploitation & Peacekeeping	Additional Resources