Peacekeeping and the problem of sexual and gender-based violence

Abstract

This chapter considers the scope of the problem of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in the context of armed violence, and how peace operations can in some cases be part of the problem as perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and in other cases can help attenuate CRSV. This chapter highlights how different types of peacekeeping personnel might affect levels of CRSV and SEA in different ways, bringing civilian peacekeepers into the discussion of CRSV and SEA. We show, contrary to expectations, that it is not solely the militarization of peace operations that is responsible for the perpetration of SEA among host populations. This chapter also highlights the importance of using multiple approaches by which UN peace operations can mitigate problems of CRSV and SEA. In doing so, we suggest that solely focusing on increasing the participation of women in peace operations fails to recognize the sources of the SEA problem.