Spanish Dialogue Series: Integrity and Gender

According to Transparency International, gender can influence how likely actors are to pay or accept bribes, what forms of corruption they are exposed to, and how they perceive and respond to them [1]. Gender-specific prejudices and stereotypes can also have a disproportionate impact on women and force them to pay more bribes to obtain public services, which in many cases can lead to a violation of human rights.

Gender-specific attitudes towards corruption may not be universal, but they are typical for the culture or context in which they are embedded. In the business world, women are still regarded as newcomers and are less familiar with the rules of illegal transactions [2]. Therefore, corruption is becoming an obstacle for women in obtaining financial resources, for example in accessing credits and doing business. Women generally lack the information, experience and resources to deal confidently with corrupt networks, which makes them more vulnerable to demands for bribes and further limits their opportunities to succeed in their businesses.

Another important aspect when we talk about gender and corruption is the integration of a gender perspective in anti-corruption programmes. Compliance systems must implement a gender perspective, considering the respective impact on both, women and men. Women are crucial actors in the fight against corruption. Therefore, the design of gender-sensitive anti-corruption strategies and gender-specific approaches are important.

Understanding the complex relationship between gender and corruption is an essential step towards promoting women's rights and establishing a level playing field between women and men. In this dialogue series, relevant issues on the topic will be discussed and put on the compliance agenda of companies.

This first event in the series "Integrity and Gender" seeks to introduce the topic by sharing statistics, studies, good practices and existing information on the link between gender and integrity. The dialogue will focus on the impact of corruption on business women. The session will present the perspective of different experts from Latin America on the subject, later providing a space for exchange with the audience.

Speakers

• Sabrina Cejas - Site Compliance for Argentina | Newmont Corporation
• Betina Azugna - CSR Manager | Sancor Seguros Group
• Mónica Cortés Yepes - CEO | EQUILATERA
• Lisa Witthohn - Legal Advisor | Transparency International Guatemala

Presenters

• Fernanda Planes - Co-Director of the Diversity Commission | AAEC
• Laura Lavia - Vice President | AAEC