Sexual Exploitation and abuse by the UN Peacekeepers: A Comprehensive Analysis

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by the UN peacekeepers has become an egregious norm which has penetrated within the peacekeeping missions to such an extent that its extinction seems impossible, at least in the near future. The UN peacekeepers have been reported to commit not only coercive acts like rape or forced sexual activities like sodomy but also transactional sex and other forms of abuse Nonetheless, some profound scholars have undertaken empirical, statistical as well as qualitative analysis of the SEA allegations against UN peacekeepers and have suggested certain reforms like the inclusion of more female peacekeepers in the missions, so as to prevent SEA. Therefore, this paper, while deploying qualitative methods, would undertake a detailed analysis of the existing literature with regards to the practice of SEA by UN peacekeepers, and thereby gauge the international law framework pertaining to the same. In such backdrop, the paper in its restricted capacity, would underscore the various foundational pillars of the UN and public international law on which the UN peacekeepers operate and carry out missions worldwide. It would also offer sufficient insights into the extent of SEA practiced by UN peacekeepers through chronologically tracking the unfolding of events, wherein the allegations gradually came into light. Furthermore, it would highlight the reforms that have hitherto been taken by the UN, in order to assuage the problem of SEA and thereby conclude that they lack in essence. Finally, it would also address the emerging notion of women peacekeepers as the panacea to reduce SEA, and ultimately conclude that it is based on gender stereotypes, whereby the emphasis should be more on gender-balanced peacekeeping forces.