58 per cent of Ukrainian women consider corruption as one of the major issues in the country, UNDP study

November 9, 2018

Photo: © Andrey Krepkikh / UNDP in Ukraine

Kyiv, 8 November 2018 - Corruption has a negative impact on the entire population, but women are disproportionately affected by its consequences, according to the study "Corruption in the eyes of women and men" conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.

Research findings were discussed today by Natalia Fedorovych, the Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Nadia Zosim, the Office of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine, Larysa Denysenko, journalist and human rights defender, Oleksandra Kuziva, campaign co-ordinator at CHESNO civil movement, and Anna Gerasymenko, UNDP gender expert.

"Our study shows clearly that women and men in Ukraine see and experience corruption differently. Due to their roles as caregivers and unequal power relations at homes, workplace and society, women are often more vulnerable to corruption. It is critical that Ukrainian anticorruption programs and policies include their voices and perspectives," says Blerta Cela, UNDP Deputy Country Director in Ukraine.

According to the Transparency International "Global Corruption Barometer" survey that laid foundation for the study, corruption in Ukraine is seen negatively by both women and men. 58 per cent of women and 52 per cent of men list corruption among the main challenges for the country.

"Although corruption has a negative impact on all people, the research suggests that women are disproportionally affected by negative consequences of both grand and petty corruption. Corruption perpetuates gender inequality existing in society, reproduces barriers that hinder women's access to public services, resources and decision-making,” says Anna Gerasymenko, UNDP expert and the author of the study.

The research revealed that the negative effects of petty corruption are more likely to affect women's welfare, in particular, because they are more dependent on unhindered access to public services.

Besides, women tend to be more vulnerable to the implications of corruption due to existing unequal power relations between men and women. Such corruption barriers as "glass ceiling" and the existence of male corporate networks limit women's access to managerial positions and decision-making. For instance, only 12.3 per cent of Ukrainian MPs and 4 of the 24 members of the Cabinet of Ministers are women.

The study emphasises that women are more likely to face extortion of sexual services as a bribe. Majority of survivors of human trafficking faced with sexual exploitation also happen to be women.

The surveyed representatives of anti-corruption organisations working in the different regions of Ukraine were strongly in favour of the need to consider gender aspects in anti-corruption programming and strategies. This will contribute to more efficient fight against corruption and will be beneficial for both women and men.

The "Corruption in the Eyes of Women and Men" study was conducted by UNDP’s Enhanced Public Sector Transparency and Integrity Project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Presentation of “Corruption in the eyes of women and men" study, 8 November 2018