International Organizations

Citation:

Pruitt, Lesley. 2012. “Looking Back, Moving Forward: International Approaches to Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence." Journal of Women, Politics & Policy 33 (4): 299-321.

Author: Lesley Pruitt

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender-Based Violence, International Law, International Organizations, Sexual Violence

Year: 2012

Citation:

Schreck, Rachel. 2009. “Rhetoric Without Results: United Nations Security Council Resolutions Concerning Rape During Armed Conflict.” Penn State International Law Review 28 (1): 83–110.

Author: Rachel Schreck

Abstract:

This comment recognizes the mass sexual atrocities committed against women during and after armed conflict and examines the deficient response by the U.N. to reconcile this prevalent issue. After introducing "one of history's great silences" in Part I, this comment continues in Part II by explaining how rape and sexual violence have a long history of being used as acceptable war tactics. Further, Part II describes the numerous physical and psychological impacts that rape has on victims. Part III discusses the minimal use of international courts and tribunals to prosecute major offenders of rape and sexual violence crimes. International courts have found accepted definitions of rape and sexual violence and include them among those acts that are war crimes. Rape is also included under the purview of an act of torture and an act of genocide. Part IV of this comment examines the recent U.N. Security Council Resolution 1820 and compares it with its predecessor, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325. The comparison of the two U.N. Security Council Resolutions reveals that U.N. Security Council Resolution 1820 fills in the gaps and weaknesses of the former resolution. The passage of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1820 increases international human rights organizations' hope that the U.N. will finally be able to implement both resolutions. Part V recognizes that further action by the international community is necessary if U.N. Security Council Resolution 1820 is going to be successfully implemented. Part V identifies five fundamental recommendations from international human rights organizations on how to combat sexual violence against women before, during, and after armed conflict. Part VI continues with a discussion on the importance of further action necessary to accomplish the "aspirations" of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1820. Although the Secretary-General recently submitted a report to the United Nations Security Council ("Security Council") on how to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1820, the report contained much of the same unproductive language as the U.N. Resolutions. This comment concludes by recognizing that the international community is armed with the necessary tools to successfully implement Security Council Resolution 1820. The success of implementation, however, ultimately depends on whether there will be a collective effort of the U.N. devoted to combating the challenge of eliminating rape and sexual violence during armed conflict.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, Women, Gender-Based Violence, International Law, International Human Rights, International Organizations, Justice, War Crimes, UN Security Council Resolutions on WPS, UNSCR 1820, Sexual Violence, Rape

Year: 2009

Citation:

Martikke, Susanne. 2004. Preparing for Peace: The Critical Role of Women in Colombia. Cambridge, MA: Women Waging Peace.

Author: Susanne Martikke

Abstract:

From May 19-24, 2004, the Initiative for Inclusive Security hosted 16 Colombian women peace builders in Washington, DC. In collaboration with other experts, these Colombian leaders developed recommendations for concrete ways policymakers can include women in their attempts to bring stability and security to the country. The conference aimed to elevate the voices of women in Colombia and to urge the US government, international multilateral organizations, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations to promote the inclusion of Colombia’s women in all peace-building efforts. This report summarizes the recommendations that emerged from various working groups at the conference and the outcomes of the advocacy meetings attended by the delegation.

Topics: Gender, Women, International Organizations, NGOs, Peacebuilding Regions: Americas, South America Countries: Colombia

Year: 2004

Citation:

Grady, Kate. 2010. “Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Peacekeepers: A Threat to Impartiality.” International Peacekeeping 17 (2): 215–28.

Author: Kate Grady

Abstract:

This article reconceptualizes the idea of the impartiality of UN peacekeeping in light of allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeeping personnel. It considers the role that sexual exploitation and abuse play both during and after conflict. The paper argues that sexual exploitation and abuse are political acts that bring about financial and propagandist benefits for the warring parties. It then tracks the history of neutrality in UN peacekeeping – originally defined as objective inaction against the warring parties – and its development into impartiality – now identified as unbiased interference, but with greater reference to core universal values such as fairness and justice. Peacekeepers’ involvement in sexual exploitation and abuse is of political advantage to the parties and therefore breaches the principle of impartiality.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, Women, International Organizations, Justice, Peacekeeping, Post-Conflict, Sexual Violence, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Year: 2010

Citation:

Francis, David J. 2007. “Paper Protection Mechanisms : Child Soldiers and the International Protection of Children in Africa’s Conflict Zones.” Journal of Modern African Studies 45 (2): 207–31.

Author: David J. Francis

Abstract:

The arrest and prosecution in March 2006 of the former Liberian warlord-President Charles Taylor by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, for war crimes including the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and the arrest and prosecution of the Congolese warlord, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, by the International Criminal Court, accused of enlisting child soldiers in the DRC war, have raised expectations that finally international conventions and customary international laws protecting children in conflict zones will now have enforcement powers. But why has it taken so long to protect children in conflict situations despite the volume of international treaties and conventions? What do we know about the phenomenon of child soldiering, and why are children still routinely recruited and used in Africa's bloody wars? This article argues that against the background of unfolding events relating to prosecution for enlistment of child soldiers, the international community is beginning to wake up to the challenge of enforcing its numerous 'paper protection' instruments for the protection of children. However, a range of challenges still pose serious threats to the implementation and enforcement of the international conventions protecting children. Extensive research fieldwork in Liberia and Sierra Leone over three years reveals that the application of the restrictive and Western-centric definition and construction of a 'child' and 'childhood' raises inherent difficulties in the African context. In addition, most war-torn and post-conflict African societies are faced with the challenge of incorporating international customary laws into their domestic laws. The failure of the international community to enforce its standards on child soldiers also has to do with the politics of ratification of international treaties, in particular the fear by African governments of setting dangerous precedents, since they are also culpable of recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Combatants, Child Soldiers, Gender, International Law, International Criminal Law, International Organizations, Justice, International Tribunals & Special Courts, War Crimes, Post-Conflict Regions: Africa

Year: 2007

Citation:

Leff, Jonah. 2008. “The Nexus between Social Capital and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants: A Case for Sierra Leone.” African Journal on Conflict Resolution 8 (1): 18–20.

Author: Jonah Leff

Abstract:

Following the end of the Cold War, the international community shifted its attention from duelling ideological warfare to the many intra-state, or internal armed conflicts occurring globally. In response, the United Nations, along with a wide array of aid agencies, have invested greater and greater time and resources in post-conflict environments. When peace is reached after conflict, economic and social conditions are not conducive for ex-combatants to reintegrate on their own. Programmes that address ex-combatants as well as broader post-conflict recovery are essential. Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) is one such programme that has received widespread attention. Policy analysts have debated the factors that contribute to a successful DDR programme. This study examines reintegration, the final phase of DDR, arguing that in order to achieve successful reintegration of ex-combatants, a community-focused approach that generates social capital must be implemented. Using a comprehensive literature review of social capital and community-based reintegration and a thorough case study from Sierra Leone, this paper will demonstrate the relationship between social capital and reintegration.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Combatants, DDR, Gender, Humanitarian Assistance, International Organizations, Peace Processes, Post-Conflict Regions: Africa, West Africa Countries: Sierra Leone

Year: 2008

Citation:

Abdelmoneium, Azza O. A. 2010. “Policy and Practice: Non-Governmental Organisations and the Health Delivery System for Displaced Children in Khartoum, Sudan.” Child Abuse Review 19 (3): 203–17.

Author: Azza O. A. Abdelmoneium

Abstract:

The civil war in Sudan and natural disasters have led to the displacement of many people of whom 2.2 million live in and around Khartoum, half of whom are under the age of 18. These children, living in barren, remote areas, must find ways to survive and meet their basic needs of food, shelter, health and education.

This article focuses on the work of an international organisation working in health services for displaced people in one of the camps in Khartoum in order to argue the case for a rights-based approach to health care, for separate provision of services to adolescent mothers, for education on sexual and reproductive health for children before they become sexually active, and for sexual and reproductive health services and education for adolescent boys and men.

This article concentrates on health education, in particular sexual and reproductive rights and how gender-based differences impact on the health and well-being of children. By concentrating almost exclusively on pregnant and lactating women and children under five, the organisation may reduce the possibility of successful outcomes for women and may not contribute to the reduction of sexually transmitted diseases, early pregnancy and related morbidity and mortality.

Topics: Age, Youth, Armed Conflict, Civil Wars, Displacement & Migration, Environment, Environmental Disasters, Gender, Girls, Boys, Health, International Organizations, NGOs, Rights Regions: Africa, East Africa Countries: Sudan

Year: 2010

Citation:

Turshen, Meredeth. 2006. “The European Commission Considers Gender & Security.” Review of African Political Economy 33 (108): 358–367.

Author: Meredeth Turshen

Topics: Gender, International Organizations, Security Regions: Africa, North Africa, Europe

Year: 2006

Citation:

Sion, Liora. 2008. “Peacekeeping and the Gender Regime.” Journal of Contemporary Ethnography 37 (5): 561–585.

Author: Liora Sion

Abstract:

This article addresses the issue of women participation in peacekeeping missions by focusing on two North Atlantic Treaty Organization Dutch peacekeeping units in Bosnia (SFOR8) and Kosovo (KFOR2). I argue that soldiers are ambivalent toward what is perceived the “feminine” aspects of peace missions. Although peacekeeping is a new military model, it reproduces the same traditional combat-oriented mind-set of gender roles. Therefore Dutch female soldiers are limited in their ability to perform and contribute to peace missions. Both peacekeeping missions and female soldiers are confusing for the soldiers, especially for the more hypermasculine Bulldog infantry soldiers. Both represent a blurred new reality in which the comfort of the all-male unit and black-and-white combat situations are replaced by women in what were traditionally men's roles and the fuzzy environment of peacekeeping. At the same time, both are also necessary: peacekeeping, although not desirable, has become the main function for Dutch soldiers, and women are still a small minority, although they gain importance in the army. Present government policy prescribes a gender mainstreaming approach to recruiting, partly due to a lack of qualified male personnel, especially after the end of the draft in 1996.

Keywords: women, peacekeeping, Dutch, exclusion, NATO

Topics: Armed Conflict, Combatants, Gender, Gender Roles, Femininity/ies, International Organizations, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Militaries, Peacekeeping Regions: Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo

Year: 2008

Citation:

Simic, Olivera. 2010. “Does the Presence of Women Really Matter? Towards Combating Male Sexual Violence in Peacekeeping Operations.” International Peacekeeping (13533312) 17 (2): 188–199.

Author: Olivera Simic

Abstract:

Women are being encouraged to join peacekeeping operations as sexual violence problem-solving forces while simultaneously undertaking a complex role as ‘protectors’ of local women from local men and male peacekeepers. Since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 in 2000, the UN has urged states to deploy more women. Among the implicit assumptions underlying these calls are that an increase in the representation of women in peacekeeping operations (PKOs) will lead to a decrease in the cases of HIV/AIDS, a decline in the number of brothels around peacekeeping bases, and a reduction in the number of babies fathered and abandoned by peacekeepers after their mission comes to an end. Evidence suggests that the presence of women peacekeepers can and does foster a change in male behaviour when women are deployed in PKOs. This article argues, however, that countering abuse should not be a substitute for the more encompassing goal of improving gender balance and equality in PKOs. While there is a need to combat sexual violence in PKOs, the responsibility for prevention should be on troop-contributing countries, which need to exercise accountability and prosecute sexual violence committed by their peacekeepers. Diverting responsibility to women does not address the problem of sexual violence in PKOs, or help eradicate its causes.

Topics: Gender, Women, Gender Balance, Gendered Power Relations, Gender Equality/Inequality, International Organizations, Peacekeeping, UN Security Council Resolutions on WPS, UNSCR 1325, Sexual Violence, Male Perpetrators, SV against Women

Year: 2010