The prevention and eradication of corruption are not solely the responsibility of the state. It’s becoming increasingly clear how fundamental the support and participation of civil society and non-governmental organizations are for effective collective efforts.
Business Roundtable, an association of the CEOs of the 200 most important companies in the United States, abandoned its 1997 statement which defended that “the primary duty of management and boards is to the corporation’s shareholders.” Instead, it developed a new statement promoting an economy that creates value for customers, invests in employees, fosters fairness and inclusion, treats communities fairly and ethically, supports communities, and protects the environment. These are seen as goals not only for the future success of businesses but also, and especially, for the success of communities and countries. Similarly, the World Economic Forum has stated that “the purpose of a company is to engage all its stakeholders in shared and sustained value creation.”
This effort, one of many, responds to a societal concern about the seriousness of the problems and threats posed by the links between corruption and other forms of crime—particularly organized and economic crime. These links threaten the stability and security of every country by undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethics, and justice, compromising sustainable development and the rule of law.
The fight against corruption has a broad front and an area of significant opportunity, which is the systematic and comprehensive incorporation of a gender equity perspective. This starts from the understanding that corruption is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that affects the essential principles of democracy and the rule of law, hinders development, and impacts the fulfillment of human rights, especially for the most vulnerable groups. Women and girls are among the most affected populations, partly because they represent the largest proportion of people in poverty (the feminization of poverty) and because corruption exacerbates existing inequalities resulting from power dynamics.
The importance of establishing a dialogue between actors dedicated to the anti-corruption fight and gender equality and equity has become evident. This dialogue would allow for: (i) a greater understanding of the links between gender dimensions and corruption phenomena, (ii) bringing the priorities of public policy in both areas closer together, and (iii) coordinated and articulated specific actions to address common issues.
To prevent, address, and sanction corruption with a gender focus, UN Women and other strategic sectors have determined that to make the problem visible and assess its scope, it is necessary to:
a. Develop communication, awareness, and education strategies that call attention to the problems associated with manifestations of corruption that impact women and girls. b. Identify the data and information needed to understand the dimension of the problem in Latin America. c. Institutions with a gender and corruption perspective must make adjustments to measurement and monitoring tools, both from civil society and public institutions, to include this focus. This highlights that in cases of bribery, influence peddling, and kickbacks, among other criminal acts associated with corruption, the currency of payment, in addition to money, includes sexual or other favors to which women are primarily exposed. For this, it is necessary to review the state’s criminal policy to classify sexual extortion as a criminal offense related to corruption. d. Bring the methodology for dialogue between anti-corruption and gender actors to a national level to make the problem and its particularities visible in national contexts and in specific aspects of the relationship between gender and corruption.
It is possible to conclude that corruption is one of the ways in which discrimination against women is perpetuated, leading to unequal treatment and opportunities that affect their comprehensive development, especially in educational, labor, economic, political participation, and recreational spheres.
The various sectors need to take more decisive action by treating gender equity as a public policy and business policy priority, from setting goals to holding leaders accountable for results. This requires closing gender gaps and taking bold steps to create a respectful and inclusive culture in the light of Compliance, which includes anti-corruption policies with a gender equity perspective. This will ensure that women’s human rights, access to leadership and power positions, access to basic services, opportunities, and initiatives are not limited or violated. Instead, the state and organized society, through economic, political, and social sectors, will guarantee security, stability, and sustainable development.
Anti-corruption has a crucial link to a nation’s peace, security, and development. The fight against this crime is a right and a responsibility for everyone, and it is only through cooperation and the involvement of each and every person and institution that it will be possible to overcome its negative impact. States, public officials, law enforcement agents, media representatives, the private sector, civil society, academia, and new generations all have a role to play in uniting the world against corruption.