Liberal Feminist Theory

Liberal feminist theory focuses specifically on womens ability to promote and showcase equality in the society through their own actions. “Liberal feminists argue that society holds the false belief that women are, by nature, less intellectually and physically capable than men; thus it tends to discriminate against women in the academy, the forum, and the marketplace.” (James, M,White. Family Theories, an introduction) In this research I showcase multiple instances where the women of the society are confronted with these beliefs, that they indeed are somehow “lesser” than men and thus are not presented with equal opportunities, and are hence viewed as “second class citizens”. By looking at the problem through a liberal feminist theory the inequalities

(James, M,White. Family Theories, an introduction) Many of the undeveloped countries where UN peacekeeping operations have been held have projected these “traditional” family values in their societies.

“Discrimination against girls often has deep historical and cultural roots. In many cultures boys have been valued more than girls from the moment of birth. Female infanticide, inadequate food and medical care, physical abuse, genital mutilation, forced sex and early childbirth take many girls’ lives. In some countries the number of adult men is higher than the number of adult women because of such discrimination.” UN, World Youth Report, 2003.

One of the definite changes the UN peacekeeping personnel are trying to promote in mission countries is gender equality, however, sex work has still exponentially risen in several of the mission countries after the arrival of troops, which is clearly contradicting their goals of creating equality. “Lessons from past missions, including those in Haiti, Mozambique, East Timor, Bosnia, Kosovo and Cambodia, inform us that the arrival of peacekeepers increases the demand for prostitutes substantially.” (Unintended consequences of peacekeeping operations. p.45. Vanessa Kent.) Growing prostitution and especially the influx of demand after the arrival of troops hinders the rebuilding process of the whole society, as more women and children are “recruited” to the business by the allurement of richer customers. The official UN peacekeeping goals are thus trampled in the reality of the growing demand and supply in prostitution, which is only enforcing the already existing gender roles and pushing women and adolescents in the same circle of sex work as before.

The SEA cases by the hands of the peacekeeping personnel can be thus seen as extremely detrimental to the whole operation. When the persons bringing promises and hopes of a better future and equal opportunities are exploitating the same inequalities that they are supposed to be weeding