Farida Ahmed
Many believe that women are less corrupt and have higher moral standards because of deep-rooted stereotypes in society that teach girls to be obedient, quiet and good, stereotypes that classify women as "the most honest sex" and the most considerate of the public interest.
But some believe that belief is a blatant sexist prejudice for women.According to this belief, women are unlikely to accept bribery or offer their personal benefit to the public interest, but studies have already shown that involving women in power is an effective way to fight corruption.
Are women really less corrupt?
According to a World Bank study, "Corruption and Women in Government," women have higher standards of ethical behavior and appear to be more interested in the public good. The study found that high female participation in government is associated with low levels of corruption, and therefore increasing numbers Women in power bring greater societal benefits.
Women's rejection of corruption is not limited to politics but extends to all spheres of life. This hypothesis was demonstrated by a study by Rice University entitled "Corruption, Gender and Institutional Context", which collected data from countries around the world to measure women's participation in and tolerance of corrupt practices in different contexts. Women in democratic countries with generally low levels of corruption are less vulnerable to corruption and less likely to tolerate corruption than male politicians, the study says.
The study suggests that women may feel more connected to the political norms of the society in which they work, but stressed that recruiting more of them in politics in more corrupt countries would not reduce corruption, where their impact is very limited, but their employment in public service in less corrupt countries may Already reduces mass corruption.
It seems that women's rejection of corruption is not confined to politics, but extends to all spheres of public life.
A survey of business owners and managers in the Republic of Georgia revealed on the organization's website that companies owned or run by women pay bribes in about 5% of their government transactions, while the proportion doubles to 11% in companies headed by a male owner or manager.
Companies owned or operated by women who pay less bribes (Pixabee) Women are the first victims of corruption
There is a hypothesis that women are less involved in corruption themselves, because they are the first victims of the corrupt system, according to Transparency International, since the corrupt legal system promotes gender discrimination in many countries.
In societies where the law enforcement system is corrupt, women and other minorities are severely affected when dealing with matters of marriage, divorce, child custody, financial independence, property rights, domestic abuse and rape, as well as unequal work and wages.
According to the World Bank, women received only three-quarters of men's legal rights in areas that have important implications for women's economic status, such as freedom of movement, starting work, getting paid, getting married, having children, running a business, managing assets, and getting a pension.
Women suffer greatly from unequal power relations between men and women.Corruption increases the dynamics of power, limiting women's access to public resources, information and decision-making, promoting social, cultural and political discrimination, and sexual extortion is one of the most severe forms of corruption occurring. Women are victims of abuse of power for sexual benefit or benefit, according to the Wilson International Center for Studies.
Rampant corruption makes nine out of every 10 girls in the world expect harassment and sexual discrimination if they become leaders, according to a survey by Plan International published on Reuters.
The claim that women are less susceptible to corruption than men may be highly controversial, yet it is indisputable that increased participation of women is essential to solving the problem, as research into the link between gender equality and corruption is necessary to find policies and practices that eliminate it.
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