Around the world, there is a growing recognition of the need to improve our collective understanding of how corruption impacts us all differently. At UNODC, exploring the complexities of the gender dimensions of corruption encompasses a range of crucial issues. This includes understanding how corruption perpetuates gender inequality and vice versa, the mutually reinforcing relationship between gender equality, women’s empowerment and institutional integrity, the distinct effects of corruption on women, men, and equity-seeking groups, and the realization that both men and women can be both perpetrators and victims of corruption.
The adverse effect of corruption on peace, security and sustainable development is well acknowledged. However, it is only in recent years that the global anti-corruption community has brought the gender dimensions of corruption into its discussions and considerations. In December 2020, the UNODC flagship publication “The Time is Now – Addressing the gender dimensions of corruption” was launched and triggered discussions the following year in connection with the 2021 special session of the General Assembly against corruption. In the political declaration adopted during this special session, UN Member States committed to “improving their understanding of the linkages between gender and corruption, including how corruption can affect women and men differently, and continuing to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, including by mainstreaming it in relevant legislation, policy development, research and projects/programmes”.
There is no generic blueprint to address the gender dimensions of corruption, no one-size-fits-all approach. Social norms differ between societies and affect the ways in which individuals behave or are expected to act and react in any context - including when encountering corruption. Frequently, women remain responsible for household and family-related tasks – such as ensuring access to water and electricity and pursuing their children’s education and health care. Moreover, women often have less access to decision-making and economic power compared to men. These gendered social structures and power disparities can impact their decisions to engage in corrupt behaviour and whether to report corruption they face. A particular form of corruption which is often difficult to address is sexual corruption, i.e. where sexual favours or acts of a sexual nature are the currency of corruption. While it is important to note that sexual corruption is not exclusively faced by women, they are targeted to a greater extent than men.
Additionally, gender equality and anti-corruption efforts are mutually reinforcing in preventing corruption. Studies have found that women’s empowerment is critical when creating more inclusive societies, which in turn reduces corruption. In some environments, diversifying decision-making roles can help counteract so called “herd behaviour”. This occurs when people seek to reinforce and maintain the status quo by excluding other points of view – an ideal environment for corruption to fester and grow.
UNODC, 2022
This study is the first comprehensive, nationally representative population survey on corruption in Ghana, produced in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the Ghana Statistical Service.
UNODC, 2020
“The Time is Now” is UNODC’s flagship publication on the gender dimensions of corruption, which laid the foundation for the Office’s work in this arena. The publication explores how corruption feeds inequality (and vice versa) and showcases the integrity dividends of diverse decision-making bodies and inclusive anti-corruption mechanisms.
UNODC, 2020
This toolkit was developed in response to needs identified during anticorruption workshops with women entrepreneurs in Fiji. It clarifies what constitutes corruption in Fiji, what relevant laws and resources exist, and where to turn when confronted with corrupt conduct, with a focus on common integrity challenges faced by women-led MSMEs.
UNODC, 2020
This report reflects the findings of a qualitative study on the relationship between gender inequality and corruption in Myanmar. It highlights gender-based differences in the frequency of bribe payments, and the motives and manifestations of corrupt conduct.
UNODC, Global Judicial Integrity Network, 2019
This paper examines the ways in which gender-related issues may affect judicial integrity and the adequacy of existing safeguards in promoting appropriate conduct and taking corrective action. It also considers how gender may play a role in court administration and public perceptions of the judiciary.
