Transparency International blows the whistle on Women’s Day
BERLIN, Mar 8 (the CONNECT) – Corruption is one of the biggest and most overlooked obstacles in gender equality, says Transparency International, global coalition against corruption.
Corruption makes it harder for women to access essential services, opportunities and decision-making power, the organisation said in its International Women’s Day special.
Transparency International said it has been shining a light on how corruption deepens gender inequalities. “Take sexual corruption, for example. We have amplified how sexual corruption – where those in power exploit their position to demand sexual favours – overwhelmingly targets women and marginalised communities, trapping them in cycles of abuse,” it said.
Its global advocacy played a key role in getting the United Nations to officially recognise sexual corruption as a distinct form of corruption. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
Corrupt political finance practices also keep women out of politics. Women remain hugely underrepresented globally, with only 27 countries led by women, and they hold just 27 per cent of parliamentary seats globally.
Corruption makes things worse as traditional patronage networks exclude women and it also increases the cost of running for office.
Another urgent global issue leaving women behind is the climate crisis. Lack of meaningful engagement and discrimination are blocking climate finance from reaching women and marginalised communities. These groups, already on the frontlines of climate change, are facing the worst impacts, like natural disasters and food insecurity. Yet, instead of receiving the funds they need, these resources are often misallocated or siphoned, perpetuating inequality and undermining climate action, Transparency International said.
Corruption blocks women’s access to urgent climate finance, hindering their leadership in the fight against the climate crisis.
The lack of oversight and accountability makes it even worse. Funds are diverted with no independent audits, and discriminatory practices prevent marginalised groups from having a voice in decision-making processes.
To tackle this, the platform said, we need gender-responsive climate financing that addresses systemic barriers by ensuring transparency, promoting accountability and integrating gender-sensitive policies.
Transparency International advocated that women need to be part of decision-making, have access to the resources they deserve, and governments must end corrupt systems that hold them back. The fight for gender equality can’t be a one-day thing. It has to be an everyday fight until we live in a world where women’s voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their leadership is celebrated every single day.
