Gender-Stratified Analysis of Haitian Perceptions Related to Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Perpetrated by UN Peacekeepers during MINUSTAH

Luissa Vahedi,Stéphanie Etienne,Susan A Bartels,Heather Stuart,Sabine Lee

doi:10.3390/sexes2020019

Luissa Vahedi, Stéphanie Etienne + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes2020019

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Journal: Sexes	Publication Date: Jun 15, 2021
Citations: 7	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Queen's University, Gheskio Centers, University of Birmingham

Abstract

Feminist scholarship has analyzed the gendered dynamics of national- and international-level risk factors for peacekeeper-perpetrated sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA); however, the gendered dynamics within the host country have not been adequately considered. Using the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as a case study, this research analyzes gender differences within community-level perceptions of SEA. Using SenseMaker® as a data collection tool, cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative data were collected by Haitian research assistants over an 8-week period in 2017. Participants first shared a narrative in relation to MINUSTAH and then self-interpreted their narratives by noting their perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs on a variety of questions. The self-coded perceptions were analyzed quantitatively to determine patterns, and this was complemented with a qualitative analysis of the narratives. Women/girls were more likely to perceive the sexual interactions as “relationships” compared to Haitian men/boys. Furthermore, women/girls were more likely to perceive the peacekeeper as “supportive”, whereas men/boys conceptualized the peacekeeper as “authoritative”. SEA-related policies/programs, such as the UN Trust Fund in Support for Victims of SEA, should engage with local Haitian actors and consider such nuanced and gendered perceptions to maximize community trust and program efficacy.

Highlights

Published: 15 June 2021Peacekeeping operations (PKOs) have traditionally focused on buffering interstate conflict by deploying military, police, and civilian peacekeepers from UN member states [1].in recent decades, the nature of conflict has transcended beyond warring nations to state instability and fragility
Analysis of triad data revealed statistical differences when data were stratified by (i) gender and (ii) whether the narratives addressed sexual misconduct perpetrated by sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) narratives shared by Haitian men compared to Haitian women is mirrored in non-SEA narratives, with Haitian men contributing 1803 (71%) narratives
Analysis of triad data revealed statistical differences when data were stratified by (i) gender and (ii) whether the narratives addressed sexual misconduct perpetrated by MINUSTAH peacekeepers

Summary

Introduction

Published: 15 June 2021Peacekeeping operations (PKOs) have traditionally focused on buffering interstate conflict by deploying military, police, and civilian peacekeepers from UN member states [1].in recent decades, the nature of conflict has transcended beyond warring nations to state instability and fragility. PKOs have been increasingly deployed to neutralize intrastate conflict, involving long-standing and protracted civil wars, anticivilian violence, coups, and organized crime in fragile settings, and regions characterized by weak or collapsed governance [2]. In this sense, when faced with intrastate conflict, PKOs strive to establish “negative peace”—the absence of active conflict or violence—. The expanding role of PKOs to include peacebuilding activities may alter the dynamics between foreign peacekeepers and members of the host community This manuscript is an Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

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