Save the Children UK just released another report on sexual abuse & exploitation of children by aid workers & peacekeepers. It is extremely common with peacekeepers and all too frequent with "humanitarians" (both local & foreign). Some perpetrators are seen as sex tourists - taking the work (peacekeeping or "aid") b/c of the relative freedom & immunity they are accorded.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7420798.stm
One key is the attitude of the head of mission/staff, & whether he (lets be realistic) could give a hoot about the status of women & girls. Some places are doing better than others, but that's not saying much.
I'm currently contracted to revise materials that Save the Children Sweden & ECOWAS (the group of West African governments) use to train peacekeepers on child protection - surprise, surprise, the new units are on gender-based violence & HIV.
It all makes me think back 3 years ago when I was seated next to professor from Bristol University. As we flew to Liberia, he spoke about his work on genderising peacekeeping operations and sexual violence by those who are brought in to protect. By the end of the flight, he had almost persuaded me to take up his offer of applying to do a PhD with him. But life's path would have me tackle the same topics but from a different angle (& place).
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