ICPC asks women to challenge corruption, sexual harassment

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), yesterday, said the negative effects of corruption affect women the most.

ICPC, in its message to women in commemoration of International Women’s Day, explained that when the money meant for basic amenities is embezzled or misappropriated, it is mostly the women that suffer the pain of deprivation and lack of such amenities like water, light, hospitals and schools.

According to the anti-graft agency, women can overcome the challenge by holding leadership accountable and raising their voices collectively and individually against bribery for services, sexual harassment and extortion wherever it may occur.

The message reads in part: “One major issue that affects Nigerians unfavourably is corruption which manifests in different forms – bribery, gratification extortion, embezzlement, misappropriation.

“Corruption has been identified to be at the root of most of the problems faced by Nigeria – from economic downturn to infrastructural decay to unemployment, and insecurity.

“Corruption has become so entrenched in our ways of doing things that most people think that it is the normal way of life. However, ICPC with its 3-pronged mandate is poised to challenge corruption and reduce it to the barest minimum.”

The agency urged women to challenge bribery, gratification, sexual harassment, extortion and all other forms of corruption in their communities.

ICPC, which noted that the day is also to celebrate women who have broken the glass ceiling and excelled in their areas of endeavour, said a very recent example was Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman to become director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“She chose to challenge – the standards that existed in the Nigerian government when she was a minister; she chose to challenge the limitations that a woman can never be the head of the WTO and is now its director general.

“Until women choose to challenge, things will remain the same. Let us choose to challenge corruption, to see a positive change in the country,” the commission added.