A new Guidance Note on Gender Equality, Diversity (GED) & Integrity was released today in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese by the WCO’s Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme. The document was produced as part of the Programme’s ongoing work to help Members implement gender-sensitive and inclusive anti-corruption measures.

The note carries information and lessons learned from Members via the WCO A-CIP Programme’s collaboration with the WCO Gender Equality and Diversity Virtual Working Group.  This joint work has also facilitated the inclusion of GED considerations in the 2021 edition of the Integrity Development Guide, supported training on GED and integrity project management, and produced an episode on Gender & Integrity in its Integrity Web series.

The Guidance Note contains useful information on gender equality and diversity in the context of anti-corruption and integrity promotion efforts in Customs, including dispelling myths and pre-conceived ideas about gender and integrity.  It also presents the WCO Revised Arusha Declaration from a gender perspective.  It summarizes the key points of gender mainstreaming and inclusion in the management of integrity projects and gives examples of how gender equality and diversity can be implemented in project stakeholder engagement.  It gives a few examples of the importance of using gender-sensitive and inclusive language when talking about integrity.  And lastly, it provides some thoughts about further ways Customs administrations may be able to look at gender equality and diversity in the context of anti-corruption efforts in Customs drawing examples from work under the WCO A-CIP Programme, such as the Customs Integrity Perception Survey (CIPS) and Next Generation Network (NGN).

For more information on the WCO A-CIP Programme and other WCO Capacity Building activities, including those related to Gender Equality and Diversity, please contact: capacity.building@wcoomd.org