Health Equality

This chapter explores the ways in which corruption impedes women’s economic empowerment by creating significant obstacles to starting and sustaining businesses. Corruption often manifests as bribery, favouritism, and complex bureaucratic procedures, all of which disproportionately affect women entrepreneurs, especially those with limited resources and connections. For women attempting to enter the business world, these corrupt practices can inflate the costs of obtaining licenses, accessing credit, and navigating regulatory frameworks, making it more difficult to establish and grow their ventures. The chapter further explores how corruption reinforces gender-based barriers in the business sector, with informal networks that exclude women from essential business information and opportunities. In many contexts, women entrepreneurs face extortion and harassment, reducing their willingness and ability to compete in the marketplace. Drawing from global evidence, this chapter illustrates the economic and social costs of corruption on women’s entrepreneurship, emphasizing the connection between transparent governance and inclusive economic empowerment. The analysis highlights policy interventions, such as increased accountability in licensing, e-government, regulatory reforms, and targeted support for women-owned businesses, as essential for removing barriers to women’s economic participation and fostering an environment where they can thrive.