Global research shows that women, girls and marginalised groups, such as young people and people with disabilities, are disproportionately affected by the impact of corruption. Yet, although women tend to condemn corrupt behaviour more than men, they are less likely than men to challenge corrupt practices, report corruption and access justice. Whilst there are differences in the unique experiences of the various marginalised groups, this workshop will test the assumption that the considerations applicable to the experiences of women and girls can be applied to other marginalised groups, such as youth and people with disabilities, meanwhile highlighting the differences.
The main barriers for women, girls and marginalised groups to report corruption are due to structural disadvantages because reporting mechanisms are not designed to tailor to their needs, which means that in general, women, girls and marginalised groups, such as young people and people with disabilities have (a) less access to information about their rights and available reporting channels; and (b) less access to safe and suitable reporting mechanisms. Gender-sensitive and inclusive corruption reporting mechanisms are important not only to enable victims and witnesses to safely report corruption and seek redress, but also play an important role in detecting, identifying and preventing corruption and other malpractice.
This session will highlight barriers to reporting corruption faced by women, youth and people with disabilities, as well as share good-practice examples and innovative approaches to make corruption reporting mechanisms gender-sensitive, inclusive of young people and accessible to people with disabilities. The panellists will bring lived experiences and diverse examples from across the public sector, private sector and civil society.