How is the phenomenon of peacekeeper-fathered children (PKFCs) indicative of the gendered consequences of war in the post-conflict era, and how effective are UN responses in addressing this issue?

UN peacekeeping missions aim to facilitate post-conflict recovery, promote stability, and protect human rights. However, peacekeeper misconduct, particularly sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), has led to the rise of peacekeeper-fathered children (PKFCs), raising critical concerns about gender-based harms in post-conflict societies. This paper explores how the phenomenon of PKFCs exemplifies the intersection of gender, race, and security by focusing its analysis on MONUSCO in the DRC. It highlights key aspects of the peacekeeper economy, particularly relationship imbalances and broader implications on local gender roles. It also examines the vulnerabilities faced by PKFCs from an intersectional perspective, mainly how race and gender interact to create unique experiences of marginalization. The UN has implemented several initiatives to address these challenges, including the Zero Tolerance Policy (ZTP), the Trust Fund, and an increasing presence of female peacekeepers. However, despite these policies designed to prevent SEA and ensure accountability, enforcement remains inadequate, resulting in victims being marginalized and lacking support. Furthermore, while including women in peacekeeping missions provides valuable contributions, there is an urgent need for gender mainstreaming across missions, explicitly addressing the gendered elements of conflict and its consequences in pursuing sustainablepeace.