Abuso e exploração sexual em operações de Paz da ONU - Uma perspectiva feminista das relações internacionais: O caso da MINUSTAH

Abstract

Sexual violence in conflict contexts has become an increasingly prominent topic in discussions on human rights and humanitarian law, especially since the end of World War II. The instrumentalization of female bodies in wars, where rape becomes a tool of domination and power, reveals the connection between gender and violence in conflict settings. This phenomenon reflects the patriarchal structures that permeate international relations. In the case of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers have emerged, highlighting the fragility of the United Nations’ (UN) accountability mechanisms and the impunity resulting from the legal immunity granted to its agents. Through a feminist analysis of International Relations, this paper discusses how masculinity and femininity are constructed in conflict scenarios and how this influences the perpetuation of sexual violence in peacekeeping operations, as well as how Haiti’s socio-political and economic fragility exacerbates this issue. Highlighting the research question: How does impunity occur in relation to cases of sexual abuse and exploitation in the MINUSTAH peace operation?The case study of MINUSTAH underscores the urgency of reforming control and punitive mechanisms to prevent peacekeeping missions from becoming environments of exploitation, reaffirming the need for effective accountability at international levels.