When peacekeepers prey instead of protect

p. 82-83

U.N. seeking more women officers

In recent years there have been reports that male peacekeeping soldiers have preyed on women, often under 18, in vulnerable populations. Some have even bought sex for payments ranging from two eggs to$5. Between Jan 2004 to Nov 2006, 319 peacekeeping personnel worldwide were investigated for sexual misconduct or abuse. Out of that 144 military, 17 police were sent home. “You get these abuses not just with peacekeepers but with soldiers in general, and it gets worst the further they are from home and the more destitute the local population,” says Richard Reeve. The U.N. is now starting to send female peacekeepers instead of men to certain areas. India sent the first all female police unit to Liberia, where there have been accusations of trading food for sex with teenagers. The U.N. is trying to recruit more female soldiers or peacekeepers because it sends a message to the local society that a woman can do the same job as a man. The U.N. is trying to get rid of the argument between different cultures with a “Duty of Care” code. This code states that all peacekeepers have to abide by local customs or laws, or the customs or laws of their own country.
These peacekeepers are paid to help keep societies and local population safe, but instead they have abused the power that has been given to them by sexually abusing vulnerable females and sometimes even impregnating them. Just because there are people live differently or poorer than others doesn’t make them less of a human then the rest of us. They still have rights and still should be treated with respect.