A gay man in Russia arrives for a date and finds police lying in wait to demand a bribe. A young woman at a public medical school in Madagascar is asked by her supervisor to stay late after class, and he makes clear that if she hopes to get a fair assessment of her coursework, she must have sex with him.
These two very different cases of corruption have something important in common. In Russia, a number of laws that discriminate against gay and transgender people have created a climate of fear and led to judicial sanctioning of discrimination against LGBTQ people. In Malagasy society, a history of gender-based discrimination means that women typically have less money and less power, and they may be shamed or attacked for speaking out.
Both individuals were targeted for extortion because they already face discrimination, making them more exposed to corruption and less likely to be able to effectively challenge it.
About the authors
Matt Jenkins
Matt Jenkins heads the Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society project across 21 countries at Transparency International. He also heads its Anti-Corruption Helpdesk, which contributes to greater democratic accountability of public institutions around the world. He is a co-author of the report “Defying Exclusion: Stories and Insights on the Links Between Discrimination and Corruption,” published by Transparency International and the Equal Rights Trust.
Theo Van der Merwe
Theo Van der Merwe focuses on anti-corruption and anti-money-laundering policy at Transparency International and previously worked with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Development Co-operation Directorate and the South African Institute of International Affairs.
