AntiCorruption and gender

"Adding a gender perspective can significantly improve our understanding of the dynamics of behaviour that drive corruption and anti-corruption; thus, giving the current approach a much needed dimension and effectiveness.”

“In supporting corruption eradication, we need more than a movement, especially in the public sector where corruption cases are still happening extensively. Instilling anti-corruption values can be started from the smallest environment, such as zero-tolerance against corruption, then in the family environment and later in the company or one’s own business. The fight against corruption must be fought together, regardless of gender.”

"Women entrepreneurs have a very important role to play in efforts to eradicate corruption. Women have the power to build a business and in this position, they can be a good example of the anti-corruption movement, for example by ensuring the legality of companies through formal channels without bribes or saying no to collusion in the working environment. This action will create a healthy economy in the country.”

“As a responsible company, a commitment to integrity and the implementation of human rights are even more important in this pandemic situation. At the same time, gender equality plays an important role in ensuring sustainability.”

“As female business owners, we have to be assertive, show confidence and say no to any unofficial request.”

“One of the most common and silent forms of corruption emerging across the globe is sextortion, where sex is the currency of bribe. To acknowledge and work against it, is the need of the hour.”

“In supporting corruption eradication, we need more than a movement, especially in the public sector where corruption cases are still happening extensively. Instilling anti-corruption values can be started from the smallest environment, such as zero-tolerance against corruption, then in the family environment and later in the company or one’s own business. The fight against corruption must be fought together, regardless of gender.”

“The participation of women from all professions and businesses who play an active role in the fight against corruption is a form of support for healthy economic development and business integrity.”

"Women entrepreneurs have a very important role to play in efforts to eradicate corruption. Women have the power to build a business and in this position, they can be a good example of the anti-corruption movement, for example by ensuring the legality of companies through formal channels without bribes or saying no to collusion in the working environment. This action will create a healthy economy in the country.”

“Supporting each other among women is necessary to survive in the competitive and demanding business world, especially when it comes to corruption.”

“Even though corruption affects everyone, it affects people in vulnerable situations more (indigenous people, migrants, etc.). Historically we have witnessed the multiple forms of violence women are targeted and the inequality it generates. Is there any doubt we have to tackle both problems?”

“Corruption is the root cause of different forms of discrimination, injustice, inequity and poverty. A gender perspective makes it easier to identify the most vulnerable populations while making efforts in the fight against this scourge more efficient.”

“Inclusion is no longer just a moral obligation; it is a commercial and financial strategy to improve the profitability of businesses.”

"Women in social, political or cultural contexts where they exert less power than men, may face more corruption experiences and their response array to these experiences may be much more limited. Promoting women's participation and empowerment is critical to reduce their vulnerability to corruption."

"Corruption has an unequal impact on women, affecting especially the weakest.”

“Business integrity is the imminent result of the integrity of all human beings that make it up, men and women.”

"Corruption affects women disproportionately. Accepting this reality and assuming it when proposing solutions is urgent. Without a gender perspective, any anti-corruption effort will be limited in scope and ineffective.”

"Although the destructive effects of corruption affect us all in some way, making visible the sharpness with which it strikes more vulnerable groups such as women and girls contributes to seeking for effective solutions."

"Various investigations in the world have shown the correlation between the ethical behaviour and the gender of a person inserted in a certain culture. Empirical evidence demonstrates more upright behaviour in women when it comes to corruption issues. I consider that they are concepts that must be studied together and in depth to understand the objective reasons and to be able to design effective intervention strategies, building a better society."

"We must continue to encourage gender equality spaces that allow us to better articulate the fight against corruption as a result of an effort by men and women."

"If our purpose is to build an egalitarian society, it is important that women have the resources and support and that others give us a voice to say no to corruption."

“It is very important to understand why diversity adds value, what the risks of unconscious biases are and how we can incorporate a gender perspective to strengthen integrity programmes of companies.”

"The gender perspective must be included because in investigations, interviews and stories told by women, it has been shown that corruption impacts them differently and from there we must address it."

"The integration of a gender perspective in anti-corruption efforts is not only necessary, but essential and inevitable in order to fight corruption effectively. We are convinced that trying to fight corruption without considering the gender perspective will exacerbate existing inequalities, widen the gender gap, reduce equal opportunities and violate rights. Furthermore, the lack of a gender perspective, due to its impact on organisational and social culture, limits the opportunities for access to management positions and decision-making processes. This is a key element as part of the diversity and inclusion policy necessary to ensure integrity, ethics and compliance.”

“Corruption violates human rights and contributes to human rights violations. Corruption disproportionately hurts the most vulnerable and marginalised sectors of the population, who are mostly women and girls. Women’s and girls’ lack of access to basic economic and social rights, such as the rights to health, education and adequate standards of living, as well as inequalities in many areas of social life result in women being more vulnerable to corruption and its impact than men. There is therefore a clear implication of gender on corruption. In order to be successful, anti-corruption policies, programmes, standards and laws need to recognise the gendered impacts of corruption and address the forms of corruption which affect women disproportionately and undermine their rights to human rights, including equality and non-discrimination and participation.Similarly, policies, initiatives, laws and other concrete actions to be taken to stem the tide against corruption must consider the role that women and girls should play and by doing so, be able to formulate policies that will lead to concrete results and impact. It is therefore important to mainstream gender issues in all areas of anti-corruption policies, programmes and decisions and international trading systems.”

“Gender affects almost every facet of our lives and even corruption does not escape its grasp. Clientelism and single-gendered networks effectively serve to exclude or limit access and thereby have disastrous and disproportionate effects on vulnerable groups and women. We cannot leave out a vital piece of the corruption puzzle and thus our anti-corruption efforts must strive to be gender responsive. This is why we at UNODC are increasingly prioritising work towards exploring the gender dimensions of corruption and are determined to harness the gender element by fostering and envisioning a more inclusive fight against corruption.”

"Corruption disproportionally affects women. Sextortion – when sex is the currency of the bribe – is one of the most silent forms of corruption and demands urgent gender-sensitive legislation, enforcement and reporting mechanisms."