Where are the women? A critical analysis of the "UN Zero Tolerance Policy" on sexual exploitation and abuse

The aim of this paper is to critically reflect on the approach of the UN to the scandal of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations by analysing the non-inclusion of women in the “UN Zero Tolerance Policy”. While the UN has moved towards a victim-centred approach, acknowledging how women are particularly affected by this scourge, this inquiry is committed to a specific women’s human rights perspective, observing if and how women are represented in the UN narrative. Indeed, looking at the whole policy and particularly at the data being collected, a question which arises quite explicitly is: “Where are the women?”