Gender Inequality & Anti‑Corruption
A Strategic Convening
A platform where policymakers, development partners, civil society, academics, and private sector actors examine how corruption and governance failures intersect with gender inequality.
The symposium will generate policy-relevant insights and foster cross-sector collaboration to strengthen accountability, institutional reform, and gender-inclusive governance, leadership and practice.
This is a timely convening that addresses a critical gap: despite growing attention to gender equality and GBV, anti-corruption and governance agendas are frequently treated as separate dimensions with only incidental touch-points.
Corruption is Never Gender Neutral
Corruption undermines governance systems, erodes public trust, and weakens institutional responses to social inequality. Corruption can exacerbate gender disparities by limiting women's access to justice, public services, economic opportunities, and political participation.
At the same time, gender inequality creates conditions where women and girls are more vulnerable to exploitative practices, including bribery, extortion, and abuse of authority.
Justice Systems
Survivors may face demands for bribes to file complaints, obtain medical care, or access legal protection — creating systemic impunity.
Sextortion
Abuse of power manifests in forms where sexual acts are coerced in exchange for services or opportunities — a critical but underexplored intersection.
Institutional Failure
Systemic corruption weakens institutional responses to violence against women and girls, discouraging survivors from seeking justice.
Policy Silos
Gender equality, GBV prevention, and anti-corruption are frequently addressed in isolation, despite their deep interdependence.
What the Symposium Will Do
Advancing integrated policy dialogue and knowledge exchange on the links between gender inequality, GBV, and corruption — to identify and encourage more accountable and gender-responsive governance systems.
- 01 Analyse how anti-corruption and governance failures contribute to gender inequality and GBV
- 02 Explore the role of public accountability and institutional reform in preventing and responding to gender inequality and GBV
- 03 Facilitate dialogue between policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and civil society actors
- 04 Generate policy-relevant insights and recommendations for gender-sensitive and gender-responsive anti-corruption strategies
- 05 Strengthen cross-sector networks to support sustained engagement and follow-up action
Four Interlinked Themes
The symposium is structured around four interconnected thematic areas designed to provide comprehensive, integrated analysis.
Gender Inequality & Corruption
Gendered impacts of corruption; barriers to women's participation in governance; institutional norms and power relations that sustain inequality.
Gender-Based Violence & Governance
Accountability gaps in GBV responses; institutional responsibilities and accountability; GBV and sustainability of interventions over time.
Public Accountability & Institutional Reform
Accountability mechanisms relevant to GBV and gender equality; gender-responsive anti-corruption frameworks; pathways to structural reform.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Roles of civil society, academia, and the private sector; policy coherence; partnership building for sustained reform and advocacy.
Participatory Multistakeholder Format
Designed to maximise policy relevance, encourage exchange across sectors, and ensure impact through focused, outcome-oriented engagement.
The format combines high-level keynote presentations, panel discussions, thematic sessions, and structured synthesis dialogues — creating a rich, layered experience for all participants.
Keynote Presentations
High-level presentations to frame policy and governance challenges from leading voices in the field.
Panel Discussions
Integrating research, policy, and practice perspectives across diverse sectors and geographies.
Thematic Sessions
Focused sessions on GBV, accountability, and institutional reform with expert facilitators.
Structured Dialogue
Synthesis discussions designed to support collective policy learning and actionable recommendations.
Who Will Be At The Table
Policymakers
National and international policymakers driving governance and accountability reform agendas.
Development Partners
Bilateral and multilateral donors, development finance institutions, and international organisations.
Civil Society
Organisations and advocacy groups working on GBV, gender equality, and anti-corruption at community level.
Academics
Researchers and policy analysts generating evidence on governance, gender, and corruption intersections.
Private Sector
Private sector actors engaged in governance, accountability, and responsible business practice.
Indirect Beneficiaries
Institutions and communities that benefit from stronger governance and more effective GBV responses.
Impact Beyond the Room
The symposium is designed as a catalyst, not a standalone activity. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, it will contribute to more integrated and gender-responsive approaches to governance and institutional reform.
Key Outputs
- A high-level symposium convening cross-sector stakeholders
- A concise set of policy-relevant insights and recommendations
- Strengthened networks and partnerships across sectors
Expected Outcomes
- Improved understanding of the links between gender inequality, GBV, and corruption
- Enhanced capacity among stakeholders to integrate gender and anti-corruption perspectives
- Increased policy attention to accountability and institutional reform in GBV responses
- Foundations for follow-up research, policy engagement, and collaborative initiatives