Hundreds of women and girls are battling to raise children fathered by UN forces all around the world. A recent CNN report revealed how UN officials go to disaster-stricken countries to help the local people, end up having sexual relationships with local women or underage girls, and then abandon them before transferring to another country. According to CNN, the UN has received 463 paternity claims against its employees, only 55 of which have been validated.
Pauline Philippe’s Story
One such mother, Pauline Philippe of Haiti, is featured in the CNN report. She gave birth to two twins in 2012, fathered by a man who worked for the United Nations and was on temporary assignment in Port-au-Prince. Following the catastrophic earthquake in 2010, relief activities were launched. When Philippe told the father about her pregnancy, he replied, “How can that be? From me? I’m going to leave the country, you’ll have bastards. You can’t raise kids without a father.”
What does the UN have to say?
Sexual relations between UN officials and the local women in a disaster-affected country “are based on inherently unequal power dynamics,” according to the UN, and “undermine the credibility and integrity of the United Nations’ work.” The UN staff is prohibited from “fraternization” with the civilian population. In 2017, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged to get the United Nations’ “own house in order.” He made steps to end the impunity of its employees and to protect the rights of victims. To assist the victims, a “trust fund” was established.
The fund has approximately $4.8 million in assets, yet only $249,738 has been spent in the country. “According to the UN policy, there is no direct payment to the victims,” the fund’s program officer Yasna Uberoi was quoted as saying by CNN. “And the Trust Fund project is the same. It’s support in terms of training and providing opportunities for livelihoods, so that they can rebuild their lives and become independent,” she added.
Sex scandals continue unabated
Meanwhile, UN staff sex scandals continue unabated. Only in June, at least 60 Tanzanian peacekeepers were returned from the Central African Republic amid reports that they sexually abused four victims, two of whom were children.