The United Nations is marking its 80th anniversary this month, but a new policy focus from the Independent Women’s Center for American Safety and Security criticizes the organization for failing to protect women globally. The report, titled “The Failure of Multilateral Institutions to Protect Women,” examines shortcomings within UN agencies that have undermined their mission to safeguard women and girls.
Meaghan Mobbs, director of the center, authored the report. She identifies several areas where UN entities have fallen short, including delayed responses to sexual violence, cases of sexual exploitation by peacekeepers, appointing authoritarian regimes to key positions, and inconsistent advocacy regarding gender-based violence and sex-based protections.
Mobbs uses the October 7th attacks and what she describes as the abandonment of Israeli women as an example of systemic problems at the UN. According to her analysis, political interests and bureaucratic barriers have led to weak responses and inaction.
To address these issues, Mobbs proposes several reforms: holding UN personnel accountable for sexual violence, reassessing leadership appointments in human rights bodies to prevent countries with poor women’s rights records from gaining influence, strengthening oversight mechanisms between agencies, and increasing operational transparency.
Until such reforms are adopted, Mobbs calls for defunding the UN. She stated:
“The United Nations has failed in its most basic duty to protect women. Its peacekeepers have committed abuse. Its leaders have refused to define who a woman is. It has elevated regimes that oppress women. This is not a system we should support. Until there is real accountability and reform, the UN should not receive another dollar. It is time for the United States to lead by example and begin the process of defunding the UN.”
The policy focus adds to ongoing discussions about national security and foreign policy challenges related to women’s safety worldwide.
