"How do you pick up the pieces after your life is shattered by war? How do you continue living when your country no longer exists, your language is no longer spoken and your family is divided. What happens when your old identity is taken from you and a new one imposed, one that you never asked for?
This book critically examines the response of the United Nations (UN) to the problem of sexual exploitation in UN Peace Support Operations. It assesses the Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Special Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (2003) (SGB) and its definition of sexual exploitation, which includes sexual relationships and prostitution. With reference to people affected by the policy (using the example of Bosnian women and UN peacekeepers), and taking account of both radical and ‘sex positive’ feminist perspectives, the book finds that the inclusion of consensual sexual relationships and prostitution in the definition of sexual exploitation is not tenable. The book argues that the SGB is overprotective, relies on negative gender and imperial stereotypes, and is out of step with international human rights norms and gender equality. It concludes that the SGB must be revised in consultation with those affected by it, namely local women and peacekeepers, and must fully respect their human rights and freedoms, particularly the right to privacy and sexuality rights.
Focusing on the often-overlooked topic of wartime sexual violence, the book delves into the silence that envelops women's experiences in this context. It examines how these experiences are treated within academic, legal, and public discussions, highlighting the need for greater awareness and acknowledgment. Through critical analysis, the work aims to shed light on the complexities and implications of these narratives, advocating for a more inclusive dialogue surrounding women's rights and wartime trauma.