Beyond Zero Tolerance: Closing gaps in UN peacekeeper accountability and survivor support

Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, The New Humanitarian, alongside leading experts and practitioners, hosted a discussion on accountability and survivor support for sexual violence in peacekeeping.

Sexual abuse by peacekeepers remains a significant problem for the UN, despite its long-standing ‘zero tolerance’ policy. Recent reporting from The New Humanitarian has revealed that cases are significantly under-reported, and survivors often feel inadequately supported. This abuse not only devastates survivors but also undermines the legitimacy of multilateral peacekeeping. Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, this panel will draw from recent TNH investigations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. It will feature contributions from experts and practitioners to take stock of current measures to prevent and address abuse, exploring what more can and must be done.

The event was moderated by Janine Bressmer, Impact Editor at The New Humanitarian, who was joined by:

• Leah Nyambeki Orwoba - Victim Advocate and In-Country Support Coordinator, PSEA Coordination Unit, Ethics Office, The Global Fund 
• Christian Saunders - Special Coordinator on Improving the UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
• Jasmine Westendorf - Associate Professor in International Relations, La Trobe University and incoming Co-Director of the Initiative for Peacebuilding at the University of Melbourne, and co-editor of the recent publication ‘Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Peacekeeping and Aid: Critiquing the Past, Plotting the Future’