Women’s experience of corruption is different from that of men’s and is mostly gender-based, according to a study conducted by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
“It was found that the corruption that women experience at different levels of society is based on their gender identity and their overall passive role in a patriarchal society. In many cases, sexual favours are demanded in exchange of a service,” the study report said.
Titled “Women’s experience of corruption: The situation in two unions,” the report was released at a press conference at the TIB office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka yesterday.
The qualitative research was conducted over two years – from January 2013 to December 2014 – at a union in Gazipur and another in Jamalpur – both rural areas with agriculture as the dominant source of livelihood. Data was collected at field level from June to October 2013.
Women surveyed in these two unions were found to have faced some form of corruption at one point of their lives. The most common forms of corruption they faced were sexual harassment by men in position of power, being sidelined at work, forced to pay bribes to get a free service, and being deprived of inheritance.
In one of the experiences highlighted in the report, a woman was propositioned by several police members in a police station for sexual favours in exchange for service.
The names of the unions and the women surveyed were not revealed to protect confidentiality.
“This data does not represent the whole country, but it is a rough picture of the current situation,” said Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, while addressing the briefing.
Terming the situation alarming, he said more thorough research should be conducted to ascertain the reasons of corruption and steps must be taken accordingly.
“Corruption is a major obstacle to the development and empowerment of women,” he said.
The event was also attended by Sultana Kamal, chairperson of TIB’s board of trustees, and researchers Shammi Laila Islam, Dipu Roy and Dr Sharif Ahmed Chowdhury. Shahjada M Akram, senior programme manager at the TIB, presented the report.
