Women as anti-corruption frontline workers in Zim
Corruption is a global phenomenon, which hinders development and disrupts economic growth of nations.
It fuels inequalities and widens the gap between the rich and the poor. Corruption affects everyone whether directly or indirectly.
However, researchers have identified that corruption affects women more than men due to their care giving roles in the family which exposes them to various service providers where corruption is more rampant.
This answers why it is important for women to actively engage in fighting corruption.
Women face barriers to actively participate in leadership and decision making processes due to issues like patriarchal norms and corruption.
Zimbabwe has one of the most progressive constitutions, which speaks to gender equality and equal opportunities between men and women.
Section 56 gives a strong framework on protection and promotion of rights between men and women.
Furthermore, Section 17 speaks to the need for gender balance to be respected.
However, despite the existence of this great constitution gender equality remains on paper and not in practice.
The participation of women in politics and decision making processes remains worrisome low and the figures continue to decline in each election year.
Women in local authorities play a crucial role in advancing service delivery issues like the provision of water and sanitation in the communities.
Having more women elected to become councillors is a positive move which advances gender equality.
When there is equal representation between men and women in leadership positions, gender responsive budgeting can be achievable.
Despite having legal frameworks on gender equality, the patriarchal system has been allowed to prevail over legislative frameworks leaving women vulnerable to abuse and exploitation from their male counterparts.
For women to actively participate in fighting corruption risks, they have to understand the dynamics and negative impact on their livelihoods and how it deprives the poor from getting access to opportunities and again they have to be represented in strategic positions.
Promoting gender equality at all levels of society enables equal representation between men and women as it gives confidence for more women to advocate for transparency and accountability and engage with duty bearers for improved service delivery.
Women can be great agents of change when fully supported with resources and opportunities.
In most instances, women still face challenges when they participate in politics and governance initiatives due to various reasons like lack of economic resources.
Means of production are largely male dominated, hence the opportunities become limited for women.
For example in the extractive sector women largely occupy the periphery jobs away from the actual mining activities.
It remains important for women to utilise opportunities and have training in critical skills needed in mining so that they can be actively involved in the sector and reduce corruption risks from within.
There's a close link between women's participation and fighting corruption.
When citizens are empowered with knowledge about their rights, it gives them confidence to monitor availability and accessibility of public services in their communities.
Participation allows citizens to monitor budget allocation and spending to identify corruption risks in the use of public finance.
For women to fully participate in anti-corruption initiatives they need protection physically, online and legally.
Corruption usually powerful people, who from the status quo.
Women who get involved in anticorruption risk facing intimidation and limited support to continue executing their work.
As a matter of concern, women constitute more than half of the total population, they are affected by corruption more than men hence giving them maximum support in community centred anti-corruption approach is essential.
Zimbabwe is yet to come up with a comprehensive whistleblower and witness protection legislation.
Protection of whistleblowers and reporting persons is fundamental in the fight against corruption.
There are risks which comes with whistleblowing or reporting wrongdoing without comprehensive protection.
For women, the risks are worst because they may encounter violence of sexual nature.
To achieve sustainable development goals there’s need to address barriers such as corruption which may disrupt all the efforts being done.
Female anti-corruption advocates should be supported with resources and tools which enables them to effectively execute their mandate without fear of victimisation or backlash. Sandra Matendere involves benefit