Gender and Peacekeeping

This research paper, based on a qualitative study conducted in April and May 2003, examines the exploitative gender dynamics and sexual abuse of local women and girls by peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) and Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). The author analyzes how financial disparities, power imbalances, and a 'peacekeeping economy' contribute to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), while evaluating the effectiveness of gender training and conduct committees in these missions.

• The study identifies a 'peacekeeping economy' in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone that fosters exploitative gender relations. This economy is driven by extreme financial disparities between peacekeepers and host populations, which allows peacekeepers to exert power and authority over people weakened by conflict.
• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mission (MONUC) adopted a more proactive approach to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) through the implementation of gender training strategies. In contrast, the mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) was more reactive to SEA allegations due to the absence of a Gender Affairs Office and a dedicated full-time officer, despite having higher general awareness of gender issues via the UNAMSIL Personal Conduct Committee (UPCC).
• The research notes that while a 2002 UNHCR/SCFUK report on the sexual abuse of refugees by humanitarian workers and peacekeepers raised awareness in Sierra Leone, it also had the negative effect of pushing some exploitative activities underground. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, liaisons between peacekeepers and local women were observed to be less discrete.
• The author argues that a 'military-masculine culture' persists within peacekeeping operations, often overriding diplomatic efforts and gender-awareness initiatives like UN Resolution 1325. This is compounded by 'expatriate' views held by some UN personnel who maintain a position of authority over the host population.

APA

Higate, P. (n.d.). Gender and Peacekeeping. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-91-gender-and-peacekeeping-paul-higate

Chicago

Higate, Paul. Gender and Peacekeeping. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-91-gender-and-peacekeeping-paul-higate.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Higate |first1=Paul |title=Gender and Peacekeeping |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-91-gender-and-peacekeeping-paul-higate |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{higatendgender, author = {Higate, Paul}, title = {{Gender and Peacekeeping}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-91-gender-and-peacekeeping-paul-higate}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }