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Abstract

Gender-based violence is a significant issue for the aid sector, it is known of, covered up and ignored by many until the 2018 exposé of Oxfam staff’s abuses and the cover up that followed the accusations in 2011. This dissertation explores the factors that account for such abuse and exploitation within the aid setting. To study this this dissertation will utilise feminist literature as well as postcolonial, intersectional and hyper-masculinity theory analysis. These theories will continue through in our evaluation of underage girls, black women and girls and women and girls in poverty as the most vulnerable populations to this type of violence. Furthermore, most significantly targeted by aid workers from the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPO). The Oxfam 2018 case study will be considered for its significant media attention in the UK, which led to the breakdown of the organisation’s reputation, support and funding. By no means did this scandal lead to real change in the sector, however, as many other cases of abuse have since occurred, been covered up and exposed after Oxfam’s 2018 scandal. The final chapter will discuss some recommendation on how to address the current insufficient response to the endemic violence we continue to see. This dissertation finds that a cooperation of practical opportunity, a local culture of shaming victims, a hyper-masculine organisational culture and a global patriarchal structure account for the prevalence of gender-based violence in the aid sector.

Course: International Relations - MA - P2929FTD

Date Deposited: 2024-01-12

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14283.html