Suva, Fiji – A new information note on Breaking the Silence on Gender and Corruption in the Pacific is being launched to mark International Women’s Day (8 March) by the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project.

The UN-PRAC Project, a joint initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Development Programme (UNDP), supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme, produced the new information paper as a response to UN-PRAC’s work with Pacific communities and women stakeholders.

According to the information note, pervasive gender inequality remains a barrier to progress, justice, and social stability across the Pacific Island Countries, including as a barrier to achieving genuine integrity and anti-corruption.

A report by UNDP Solomon Islands in 2019 found that women are more likely than men to be asked for sexual favours as the currency of bribes, and when accessing services on behalf of their family they are more often required to pay “speed money” or bribes.

UNODC’s 2021 “Corruption and COVID-19: Challenges in Crisis Response and Recovery” report recommends ensuring COVID-19 emergency response plans and anti-corruption policies are cognizant of the inequalities women face in these areas and take this into account when developing and implementing these policies.

“Corruption affects both men and women differently and gender inequality exacerbates corruption risks that ultimately disproportionately affect women and vulnerable groups of society,” said Regional UNODC Anti-Corruption Adviser, Marie Pegie Cauchois. 

“This information note seeks to highlight the challenges and opportunities to progress gender equality in anti-corruption efforts in the Pacific, in line with the international standards found in the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions and SDG 5 on gender equality,” Ms. Sonja Stefanovska-Trajanoska, UNDP Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser said.

The new information note: Breaking the Silence on Gender and Corruption in the Pacific is available on our online library here.

UN-PRAC has also undertaken integrity strengthening with private sector national bodies for women entrepreneurs in Fiji, Palau, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

The UN-PRAC Project is a joint initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by the New Zealand Government.

For more information, or media interviews please contact:

Emily Moli, Knowledge Communications Analyst, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji; email: emily.moli@undp.org; mobile: (679) 722 5301.

Akara Umapornsakula, Communications Assistant, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific; email: akara.umapornsakula@un.org; phone: (66) 22 88 1906.