On 15 September, the world marks the International Day of Democracy under the theme “Achieving gender equality, action by action”. This year’s focus underscores that democracy cannot thrive without the equal participation of women and men in public life. In Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans, persistent gender gaps in politics, governance, and public life weaken democratic institutions and leave room for corruption and state capture.
Gendered Impact of Corruption
Corruption affects women and men differently, often worsening existing inequalities. Women face barriers in accessing healthcare, education, and social services, where bribery and favoritism can determine access to essential rights. Transparency International’s research shows that a particularly damaging form is sexual extortion (“sextortion”), where women are coerced into sexual favors in exchange for services. Although widespread, sextortion remains underreported and underrecognized in legal systems, leaving victims without protection. Women also face greater obstacles in reporting corruption due to economic dependency, fear of retaliation, and mistrust in institutions, further discouraging their civic and political participation.
Regional Insights on Gender and Corruption
Across the Western Balkans, gendered dimensions of corruption are increasingly visible. In Kosovo*, the UNDP’s 2025 report shows how women face heightened risks in both public and private institutions. Regional analyses confirm a link between low women’s political participation and higher corruption, while sextortion emerges as a hidden but widespread abuse of power. Citizens across the region consistently rank corruption among their top concerns, and practices such as bribery at borders further expose institutional weaknesses.
For the Western Balkans, where corruption and weak institutions continue to erode trust, promoting gender equality is also a question of integrity. Addressing the gendered impact of corruption is therefore central to building both fairer societies and stronger democracies.
Yet, despite these challenges, women-led civil society organizations remain central drivers of democratic resilience, with raising awareness, mobilizing communities, and pushing for accountability, even in restrictive environments.
SELDI supports gender focused anticorruption initiatives
SELDI has already taken steps toward integrating gender into its regional anticorruption efforts. Through its Small Grants Programme, the network supports gender-focused initiatives and projects currently being implemented by civil society organisations across the Western Balkans. These projects address women’s role in promoting integrity, tackle gender-specific corruption risks, and empower disadvantaged groups to hold institutions accountable. This experience provides a strong basis for expanding SELDI’s engagement on gender and democracy.
