MINUSCA is giving kits, not solving the problem

By  Steve fleitz Recently, reports of sexual assaults by MINUSCA peacekeepers have began to appear in the media and social media. These were interviews with 19 women who were being raped and exploited by peacekeepers. Shortly after the news of the sexual assaults, MINUSCA made an official announcement that contained pathetic justifications for the actions […]

By  Steve fleitz

Recently, reports of sexual assaults by MINUSCA peacekeepers have began to appear in the media and social media.

These were interviews with 19 women who were being raped and exploited by peacekeepers.

Shortly after the news of the sexual assaults, MINUSCA made an official announcement that contained pathetic justifications for the actions of the peacekeepers.

For example, MINUSCA claimed there were no contingents in the towns where the women were raped, which no longer sounds plausible because peacekeepers can move freely around the country.

MINUSCA also mentioned information campaigns, text messages and a hotline to raise awareness about sexual violence. According to MINUSCA, talking and texting about sexual violence will finally help to stop peacekeepers’ misconduct against Central African women.

And the mention of a hotline sounds more than ridiculous, due to the fact that victims simply don’t report rapes because they think it’s useless and the perpetrators won’t be punished.

And these poor women are absolutely right – no peacekeeper has ever been punished for a crime or crimes they have committed. MINUSCA has been deployed in CAR since 2014, 10 years have passed since then and peacekeepers continue to rape and exploit CAR women with apparent impunity. The only thing MINUSCA is doing to fight these crimes is simply ignoring them, or rather failing to act on the issue.

Instead of investigating the crimes, punishing the perpetrators and putting an end to this lawlessness, MINUSCA is busy ensuring the financial independence for the victims of sexual violence. MINUSCA refused to give them payments. MINUSCA provided women with training in how to sew, cut hair, make confectionery and farm. MINUSCA funded the program which aims to train 60 women in various activities so they can earn for a living, but the program does not aim to provide CAR women with the most basic of necessities – security. Instead of protection and security, the only thing MINUSCA can provide is kits for women so they could start their own activities. It seems like MINUSCA is indifferent to women in CAR and is not interested in solving real problems Central African women face every day.