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Women arming against UN "peacekeepers"

Chronwatch has an article on UN "peacekeepers" who commit rape and related crimes, and are let go, which forms an interesting contrast to their claims that arms ownership is bad for women since they might be victimized. An interesting quote:

Now consider the contrasting experience with women in Liberia. Some were abused, and some were not. The reason some were not is most instructive.

The first report states: “U.N. peacekeepers sexually abused and exploited local women and girls in Liberia.” The allegations ranged from “the exchange of goods, money or services for sex to the sexual exploitation of minors.” Repeating a now-familiar refrain, the article noted: “Currently, U.N. troops and employees accused of wrongdoing are sent home to be dealt with by their own government but are often never punished.”....

Counter to the stories of exploitation by both locals and U.N. peacekeepers, a number of women in Liberia found that by arming themselves and uniting into combat units, they were able to protect their personal sovereignty during that country’s civil war:

“Black Diamond, 22, says she joined the rebel forces after being gang-raped by the notoriously ill-disciplined and unpaid forces loyal to former President Charles Taylor in the northern Lofa county in 1999.

“ ‘There were many reasons, but that was the key one. It made me want to fight the man who caused all that, because if you are a good leader you can't behave like that,’ she is quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

“Many of Black Diamond's female comrades have similar tales…”

Not only are the women able to move about in relative security––considering this is a war zone––they were respected as fighters as well. Most importantly, they had the means to defend the honor of their fighting comrades as well as other female victims:

“Liberia's Health Minister Peter Coleman has met many women fighters during the 14 years of warfare and says they are prized by their senior commanders.

“ ‘They don’t get drunk and they take their mission very seriously,’ he said.

“ ‘I saw a woman shoot another officer because he raped a woman.’”

Via Dave Kopel at the Volokh Conspiracy.

· UN