The UN's Efforts to Address Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in Peacekeeping Missions:Challenges and Opportunities

On June 30, 2025, RESDAL (Latin American Security and Defence Network) held a high-level webinar that brought together more than 200 participants from 59 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, the MENA region, North America, and Oceania. The occasion marked the official launch of the new publication: Sexual Harassment, Abuse and Exploitation in UN Missions: A Roadmap for the Global South , authored by Cecilia Mazzotta.

Available in both Spanish and English, this publication provides a historical overview of the UN’s evolving response to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and outlines strategies for troop- and police-contributing countries. 

This launch took place within the framework of RESDAL’s Dialogue Series “Intercontinental Conversations from the Global South”, part of the broader project Women in Peace Operations: Supporting Inclusive Environments through Interregional Collaboration and National Engagement, supported by Global Affairs Canada through the Elsie Initiative. The series creates a space for Global South voices to come together and reflect on how structural inequalities, operational gaps, and cultural norms affect the fight against SEA in peacekeeping. 

The event was opened by Elisa Rial (Program Officer, RESDAL), who welcomed the global audience and emphasized the guiding principle behind the project, which is contributing to the sharing of experiences among regions and with the global audience as a whole. 

Moderated by Lt. Col. Ivana Mara Ferreira Costa (Brazilian Armed Forces), the session began with a powerful statement: “This conversation is not about blame, but about boldness—the courage to acknowledge where we fall short, and the clarity to act decisively.” 

The keynote address was delivered by USG Christian Saunders, UN Special Coordinator on Improving UN Response to SEA. His remarks offered a stark assessment of the problem: “Sexual exploitation and abuse is a violation of human rights and a profound abuse of power. It exists in every society in the world and causes deep harm to victims.” 

Mr. Saunders highlighted the scale of SEA within peacekeeping missions—over 1,100 allegations since 2010, with 102 new cases in 2024 involving 125 victims, including 27 children.  “Those entrusted to protect must never exploit the vulnerable. When this trust is broken, it undermines our mission and damages the credibility of our institutions.” 

Saunders stressed the structural roots of SEA:  “SEA is rooted in power imbalances—including inequality between men and women. It thrives in silence and stigma.” He called for early intervention: “We haven’t focused enough on what causes men to do this—and how to change it. It starts at kindergarten.” 

The webinar also featured perspectives from military experts of troop-contributing countries. From Bangladesh, Lt. Col. Nilufar Sultana outlined the integration of SEA prevention into military training and institutional coordination among security forces, foreign affairs and police. 

From Egypt, Col. Sherihan Abouelkhir Roshdy Mohamed and Lt. Col. El-Amira Randa Awd Mansour shared a three-phase training strategy designed and implemented by LAWIO, Egypt’s Liaison Agency with International Organizations. 

The concept of dual vulnerability—where female peacekeepers are both at risk and expected to serve as protectors—was a recurring theme. The speakers emphasized that safeguarding the dignity and safety of deployed women is essential to achieving inclusive operations. 

The event concluded by reaffirming the need to build strong, accountable systems—both within the UN and at the national level—to ensure SEA is neither tolerated nor ignored. The seminar was attended by participants from 59 countries across various regions of the world. From Latin America, attendees joined from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela. North America was represented by Canada and the United States. From Sub-Saharan Africa, participants joined from Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. From Asia, attendees came from Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, Iraq, Malaysia, Nepal, and Pakistan. From the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), participants joined from Afghanistan, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, and Yemen. Finally, Australia participated from Oceania.