Sexual violence and inequality: it’s time the UN got its own house in order
Sexual violence and inequality: it’s time the UN got its own house in order
Recent stories about peacekeepers abusing children and failure to investigate rapes reveal how the UN is not following its own gender equality policies
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The UN is talking the talk, by enlisting Emma Watson to launch the HeForShe campaign for example, but not walking the walk on gender equality. Photograph: IBL/Rex
How does a displaced boy being raped by an international civil servant in a war-torn country benefit from the UN resolution to end violence against children? Does a humanitarian worker who is sexually harassed or assaulted by a peacekeeper or contractor know where to turn for help? Who investigates and punishes the perpetrators? It’s high time for the UN to take action on how these matters are resolved in a way that respects the human rights of everyone affected.
When aid worker Megan Nobert went public in July 2015 about the lack of UN investigation into her rape in a UN compound in South Sudan, the Guardian’s Secret Aid Worker series received many testimonies about similar incidents. The UN may have sacked Babacar Gaye, the envoy to Central African Republic (CAR) in connection with the child sex abuse claims against peacekeepers, but there’s so much more to do.
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Male over-representation in political leadership is a serious problem. It matters greatly who decides on policies and budgets. They must represent the people they serve, or at least be aware of their challenges. I’m not aware of a single UN manager’s career going down the drain for not executing official policy in gender equality
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Back in 1995, the Beijing conference reaffirmed (pdf) a target of women holding 50% of managerial and decision-making positions by the year 2000. Decades and numerous resolutions later there is no gender parity in sight. I’m not aware of a single UN, development bank or other international organisation manager’s career going down the drain for not executing official policy in this area. Unless member states mandate the UN and other entities to hold management accountable, it is doubtful if the share of men in UN senior positions will move from 70% in 2011 to 50% by 2030, which is the next target date.
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http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/aug/21/sexual-violence-inequality-united-nations-un-gender-equality