Challenging the Status Quo: Corruption and Gender Justice in Albania

The correlation between gender and corruption and the extent to which corrupt practices affect all social classes and groups are almost unexplored in Albania. However, international research shows that worldwide the most vulnerable of all are girls and women. In a survey conducted by the United Nations Development Programme in 2012, 76% of women stated that corruption had prevented their access to public goods and services. The World Bank’s Report from 2011 ‘Engendering Development through Gender Equality in Rights, Resources and Voice’ made the clear observation that with greater gender equality, countries tend to be less corrupt. In a country like Albania, where the fight against corruption remains one of the main challenges towards the establishment of democratic institutions responsive to citizen’s needs (according to Transparency International Albania in 2019 ranks 106 among 180 countries), the OSCE Presence in Albania is committed to support the Government in tackling corruption also from a gendered perspective. In light of the fact that countries tending to have greater gender equality are precisely those countries that have set up transparent and accountable rule of law agencies and public institutions, this analysis discusses the efforts of the OSCE Presence in Albania in fostering gender dynamics that can benefit anti-corruption reforms across the country. It also uncovers those conservative networks that exclude women and girls and explores those cultural reforms that can influence Albanian society, its politics, and the emerging economy.