Alumni

The discussion of gender and corruption is one full of extremes- women as the new perfect anti-corruption force on the one hand or as the defenseless victims of corruption on the other. Yet, we still lack a thorough understanding of the nuances in this relationship. The existing academic debate on the topic is broadly centered around three questions:

a) are women less corrupt than men?

b) does corruption have different effects on women and

c) how can women help in fighting corruption? In this dissertation I argue that a major aspect is too often missing in the analysis – the role of gender norms.

Corruption is most commonly defined as the “abuse of entrusted power for private gain” (Transparency International), and while definitions are widely debated they agree that power or authority plays an important role. Yet, even in the discussion on the relationship of corruption and gender ‘power’ is still largely considered a gender-neutral concept and entirely centered around men as the norm. The four essays that constitute this dissertation challenge this notion and investigate how gender norms shape forms, experiences, and persistence of corruption.

The first chapter provides theoretical discussion on the forms of corruption that women experience and how they are shaped by gendered power structures. This chapter specifically focuses on sextortion as an example. Using data from the World Value Survey for five Sub-Saharan countries, the next chapter investigates how patriarchal views on women’s participation in politics are related to views on corruption. The third chapter is based on extensive fieldwork in Georgia. It continues the discussion by investigating how sexism is used to exclude women from clientelistic networks. The last chapter focuses on the gendered experiences of corruption. Using interviews with irregular migrants and experts, the study explores how migrants experience corruption and how they this is influenced by patriarchal structures.

	Selected publications by Ortrun Merkle
Articles (journal, professional, popular)
Wong, Pui-hang, Ortrun Merkle & Melissa Siegel, 2024, `Remittance Receivers as Targets for Corruption in Latin America, Journal of Development Studies, 60, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, Umrbek Allakulov, Debora Gonzalez, Alfredo Hernández Sánchez, Sifat E. Rabbi & Zobair Hasan, 2023, `When vulnerabilities are exploited—The role of sextortion in the WASH sector in Bangladesh, Frontiers in Water, 5, More information
Bicker Caarten, Ashleigh, Loes van Heugten & Ortrun Merkle, 2022, `The intersection of corruption and gender-based violence: Examining the gendered experiences of sextortion during migration to South Africa, African Journal of Reproductive Health, 26, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, Julia Reinold & Melissa Siegel, 2018, `Corruption, Gender and Migration, 2018 Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum, More information
Bruni, Vittorio & Ortrun Merkle, 2018, `Gendered effects of corruption on the Central Mediterranean route, ECDPM GREAT Insights Magazine, 7, More information
Book chapters
Kubbe, Ina & Ortrun Merkle, 2022, Introduction. Gender and corruption: the role of norms, in: Kubbe, I. and Merkle, O. (eds), Norms, Gender and Corruption -Understanding the Nexus, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Ina Kubbe, 2022, Moving forward: including norms in the research agenda on gender and corruption, in: Kubbe, I and Merkle, O (eds), Norms, Gender and Corruption : Understanding the Nexus, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, More information
Papangelopoulos, Kostas & Ortrun Merkle, 2022, “When in Rome”: Do Recent Greek Migrants Adopt New Norms on Corruption While Living Abroad?, in: Anastasakis, O., Pratsinakis, M., Kalantzi, F., Kamaras, A. (eds), Diaspora Engagement in Times of Severe Economic Crisis, Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, Julia Reinold & Melissa Siegel, 2020, Shaping the migration journey – the role of corruption, in: Maty Konte and Linguère Mously Mbaye (eds), Migration, Remittances, and Sustainable Development in Africa, Routledge, Abingdon/New York, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2020, Gender and corruption: what we know and ways forward, in: Alina Mungiu-Pippidi & Paul M. Heywood (Eds.), A Research Agenda for Studies of Corruption, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Pui-hang Wong, 2019, It is all about power: Corruption, patriarchy and the political participation of women, in: Konte, Maty & Nyasha Tirivayi (eds.), Women and Sustainable Human Development: Empowering Women in Africa, Palgrave Macmillan, Geneva, More information
Books (monograph or edited volume)
Kubbe, Ina & Ortrun Merkle (eds.), 2022, Norms, Gender and Corruption: Understanding the Nexus, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, More information
UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Merkle, Ortrun, Umrbek Allakulov & Debora Gonzalez, 2022, Sextortion in access to WASH services in selected regions of Bangladesh, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2022-022
Bicker Caarten, Ashleigh, Loes van Heugten & Ortrun Merkle, 2022, The reckoning of sexual violence and corruption: A gendered study of sextortion in migration to South Africa, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2022-009
van Heugten, Loes, Ashleigh Bicker Caarten & Ortrun Merkle, 2021, Giving up your body to enter fortress Europe: Understanding the gendered experiences of sextortion of Nigerians migrating to the Netherlands, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2021-050
Vasylyeva, Anna & Ortrun Merkle, 2018, Combatting corruption in higher education in Ukraine, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2018-021
Research reports
Merkle, Ortrun & Matthew Price, 2024, Gender and corruption in the access to natural resources: Preliminary findings, Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The publication aims at uncovering the nexus between gender and corruption in natural resource management by focusing on women’s access to water, land, forestry and extractives. The preliminary findings of this research highlight the vital role natural resources play in the economic empowerment of women as well as the pervasive impact that corruption has on the environment. It finally brings to the attention of policy makers in the OSCE area essential data and recommendations for boosting gender-responsive policies in natural resources and women’s access, More information
Marchand, Katrin, Ortrun Merkle, Lalaine Siruno, Mohammad Khalaf & Alice Antoniou, 2022, Identifying Employment-Specific Risks Facing Migrant Workers in the Cleaning Services, Logistics and Private Security Sectors from Asian Nations in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, The study commissioned by IOM looks into both enduring systemic issues and COVID-induced risks, including the lack of oversight due to contractual arrangements and unforeseen changes to the working arrangements, as contributing factors. With the identified risks, the research then provides tailored and direct recommendations for governments, brands, and employers to protect migrant workers in the cleaning services, logistics, and private security sectors, More information
Siruno, Lalaine, Mohammad Khalaf, Elaine Lebon-McGregor, Ortrun Merkle & Lana Eekelschot, 2022, Case Studies Illustrating How Fair and Ethical Recruitment Considerations Can Be Integrated in the Procurement of Labour Recruiters’ Services, The study commissioned by IOM seeks to provide practical guidance and additional resources for business enterprises employing migrant workers that will help them to improve procurement practices and fully integrate human rights principles and ethical standards in their supply chain management programmes, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, Talitha Dubow & Vuk Raicevic, 2022, Towards inclusion of LGBTI+ refugees in service provision in the Western Balkans, Study commissioned by: Regional Project on Preventing and Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2022, Anti-corruption and gender: the role of women’s political participation, WFD anti-corruption and integrity series, 4. Westminster Foundation for Democracy, More information
Diker, Eleni, Sarah Roeder, Mohammad Khalaf, Ortrun Merkle, Lisa Andersson & Sonja Fransen, 2021, Comparative Reintegration Outcomes between Forced and Voluntary Return and Through a Gender Perspective, Commissioned by: International Organization for Migration (IOM), Knowledge Management Hub Research Fund, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2021, Gender and Corruption: What do we know?, Discussion Paper published by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, More information
Martorano, Bruno, Ortrun Merkle, Alex Hunns, Giulio Bordon, Cintia Denise Granja & Francesco Iacoella, 2021, Inequality in Botswana; An analysis of the drivers and district-level mapping of select dimensions of inequality, Botswana is currently one of the most unequal countries globally, having the 9th highest Gini coefficient, indicating the degree of inequality of incomes, according to the most recent UNDP report (2020). Both theoretical and empirical studies have shown the negative effect of inequality on long-run growth, poverty reduction, social and political stability. The issue of inequality in Botswana has received limited attention historically from both research and policy perspectives. This study was therefore commissioned by UNDP, in an attempt to assist Botswana in understanding the drivers of inequality beyond income, as part of Botswana’s commitment to implement SDG 10 targets, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, Julia Reinold & Melissa Siegel, 2017, A Gender Perspective on Corruption Encountered during Forced and Irregular Migration, comissioned by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), More information
Merkle, Ortrun, Julia Reinold & Melissa Siegel, 2017, A Study on the Link between Corruption and the Causes of Migration and Forced Displacement, comissioned by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), More information
Conference contributions
Merkle, Ortrun, 2019, Sextortion – A Case for Including Gender Norms in Corruption Research?, International Studies Association Annual Conference 2019 - Panel: Integrating Gender into International Security Studies, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2018, "Corruption during migration - the role of sextortion"in the workshop "The Battle Inside the War - What Stands between Women in Conflict Situations and Help?", 18th International Anti-Corruption Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2018, By Invitation Only - Political Participation of Women in Georgia, Panel "Revisiting the Perennial 'Problem' of the Representation of Women" at the IPSA 25 World Congress of Political Science, Brisbane Australia, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2018, Migration and Corruption: How Women Pay a Heavy Toll, Panel "Transparency, Conspiracy, and Impunity" at the IPSA 25 World Congress of Political Science, Brisbane Australia, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2018, Corruption, Gender and Migration: what are we missing?, OECD Global Anti-corrruption & Integrity Forum: Youth ResearchEdge Competition Winner - Research Pitch and Poster Presentation, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2017, Corruption & Migration: How Women and Girls Pay a Heavy Toll, Roundtable discussion at the European Development Days 2017 in Brussels (7./8. June 2017), More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Diego Salama, 2017, Operation Peace: Challenges to Peacekeeping in the 21st Century, Organizer of the Breakout session: “Operation Peace: Challenges to Peacekeeping in the 21st Century” at the Future Force Conference 2017; Organized by the Dutch Ministry of Defense;, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2016, Long term peacebuilding in Georgia: The Role of Corruption and Civil Society, ISA's 57th Annual Convention: Exploring Peace, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Pui-hang Wong, 2016, Rethinking the old boys club: corruption and gender equality in  Sierra Leone, ISA's 57th Annual Convention: Exploring Peace, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2016, Political Participation of Women – The Nexus of Patriarchy and Corruption, Inclusive Peace: Women, Peace and Security Post 2015: UNU-GEST and University of Iceland, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2016, Understanding the Gender Gap: Political Participation of Women in Georgia, Human Development & Capability Association Conference:Capability and Diversity in a Global Society, More information
Theses
Merkle, Ortrun, 2018, The Myth of Gender Neutral Power: Corruption and Gender Norms, PhD dissertation Maastricht University / United Nations University
Briefs
Papangelopoulos, Kostas & Ortrun Merkle, 2019, Investigating the impact of experiences abroad on perceptions of corruption: A case-study on Greek migrants in Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom, SEESOX Diaspora briefs, More information
Other (editorship, media appearance, keynote, etc.)
Merkle, Ortrun & Ina Kubbe, 2023, CMI/U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Center Anniversary Blog Series, Part one of our blog on gender and corruption identified the gaps in the last two decades of research. This second part looks at how the research agenda could become more inclusive over the next 20 years, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Ina Kubbe, 2023, CMI/U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Center Anniversary Blog Series, Qualifying how women and men experience corruption in different ways can help to improve anti-corruption efforts. This first part of our blog on gender and corruption examines the last 20 years of research, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2022, , Panel at the 20th International Anti-Corruption Conference}, December 6-10,2022, Washington, DC, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2022, , NATO Building Integrity (BI) Workshop: "Building Integrity and Women, Peace and Security: Nexus and mutually reinforcing impact"
Merkle, Ortrun, 2022, , This event marks the publication of the latest research in WFD’s anti-corruption and integrity series, Anti-corruption and gender: the role of women’s political participation. Dr Ortrun Merkle will outline the project, drawing on three important case studies from Ukraine, Kenya and Indonesia, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2021, , UNODC 3rd Anti-Corruption Academic Symposium, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. 11-12.December 2021
Merkle, Ortrun, Loes van Heugten & Ashleigh Bicker Caarten, 2021, , UNU-MERIT Blog, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2021, , Keynote at the OSCE 2021 Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting Session III: Promoting the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in the development and implementation of relevant anti-corruption activities, with the view to achieving gender equality, and taking into account that corruption disproportionately affects women and the vulnerable
Merkle, Ortrun, 2018, , Humanitarian Congress Vienna: Food for Thoughts -International Anti-Corruption Day, 9 December 2018, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2018, Tijdschrift VN Forum, 2017-2 (Migration and Development), More information
Salama, Diego & Ortrun Merkle, 2018, , Strife Series on United Nations Peacekeeping; Strife Blog, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Diego Salama, 2017, NewsDeeply Women & Girls, OpEd, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & K. Sigurbjörnsdóttir (eds.), 2016, UNU-MERIT Blog Series, A journey through various UN bodies and UNU institutes, this series looks at the many roles of gender in different research areas. Co-organised by UNU-GEST in Iceland and UNU-MERIT in the Netherlands, it presents research findings from a gender perspective, methodological challenges for researching gender, and topical discussions on gender issues, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, Diego Salama & Khalid Koser, 2016, UNU-MERIT Blog, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & K. Sigurbjörnsdóttir, 2016, UNU-MERIT Blog, ,, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2016, UNU-MERIT Blog, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & K. Sigurbjörnsdóttir, 2016, UNU-MERIT Blog, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, Tamara A. Kool, E.H. Hjálmarsdóttir & K. Sigurbjörnsdóttir, 2016, UNU-MERIT Blog, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Tamara A. Kool, 2016, UNU-MERIT Blog, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Diego Salama (eds.), 2016, UNU-MERIT Blog Series, Peacekeeping is one of the cornerstones of the United Nations and was, is and will be an essential tool for creating lasting peace in war-torn societies. The international system has changed in many ways since the first deployment of peacekeepers in 1948; new actors and challenges have emerged and mandates have evolved. The 21st Century brings enormous challenges to the international community’s peace and security – and peacekeeping will have to address many of these challenges. This series, culminating on International Day of UN Peacekeepers, 29 May, will bring innovative analysis and offer solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing peacekeeping today, More information
Merkle, Ortrun & Tamara A. Kool, 2015, , More information
Marchand, Katrin & Ortrun Merkle, 2015, UNU-MERIT Blog, More information
Merkle, Ortrun, 2014, , Closing Conference of the UNDEF funded Project “Promoting Democracy in Georgia through Empowering Young Members of Political Parties and Civil Society Organizations”; Tbilisi, Georgia;