This is a summary of a longer piece by our Defence & Security Gender Specialist, Sabrina White. You can read the full version here.
Corruption has gender dynamics that shape the forms, vulnerability to, experiences and impacts of corruption. Defence and security personnel have been implicated in forms of corruption that are directly linked to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including sexual extortion, human trafficking, bribery and extortion in justice processes for survivors of gender-based violence. Forms of corruption related to the arms trade, human trafficking and borders can exacerbate gendered insecurities and contribute to climates prone to SGBV. This blog highlights the urgent need for anti-corruption measures in the defence and security sector to incorporate a gender perspective and to connect anti-corruption to obligations to address SGBV. While there are some existing tools to promote anti-corruption measures that prevent and respond to gender dynamics of corruption, such as gender mainstreaming and gender balance strategies, they are only effective if backed by adequate political will, awareness, resourcing and expertise.
Defence and security sector corruption can perpetuate environments conducive to SGBV, where women and people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are particularly vulnerable. Effective oversight of military personnel must address SGBV and integrate gender perspectives from frameworks like the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, which, despite not explicitly addressing corruption, entail obligations for preventing and responding to SGBV.
Viewing gender equality as a core component of anti-corruption expands the focus from compliance and individuals to institutional reform and building integrity. Combining gender equality and anti-corruption as joint concerns offers opportunities to build evidence on best and promising practices. In the article, we provide a brief overview of corruption-related gender-based violence risks and promising strategies of gender balance and gender mainstreaming for mitigating these risks.