Transparency Rwanda wants sex based corruption criminalised

Asking for sexual favours in exchange for jobs and salary increment should be criminalised, Transparency Rwanda, a non-profit non-governmental organisation, has said.Speaking at a workshop at Parliament on Friday, Francine Umurungi, the in charge of institutional development and advocacy at Transparency Rwanda said there are so many cases of sex-based corruption in Rwanda yet there is no legal provisions that condemn it so most offenders go unpunished.According to Umurungi, this is one of the most ignored types of corruption yet its rampant in society.Without giving figures, Umurungi shared with the Parliamentarians a video of people testifying as having been victims of sex based violence.Some included students, housemaids and employees who were allegedly asked for sexual favours by their bosses or teachers in exchange for good grades, job placements or salary increments.Other cases she cited involved drivers whose female bosses demanded sex in order to keep or get jobs.Cases “We know so many cases but the biggest challenge is that there is no specific law that penalises sex based on corruption yet most of the other forms of corruption have stringent laws in place. We are meeting with lawmakers and other stakeholders to raise awareness and call for action against this form of corruption,” she said.Umurungi also stated that they will soon meet with officials from ministries and private sector to raise awareness and call for action.It is a big issue in our society which requires everyone to play a role in order to curb it, Marie Immaculée Ingabire, the Chairperson of Transparency Rwanda said.She called upon parents to improveon their parenting role to enlighten children on their rights and values.Ingabire warned parents not to give their children excess freedom which they might abuse but instead raise them as responsible and enlightened citizens.“Religious leaders should also preach against and condemn such evils as sex based corruption. The culprits must not go unpunished so they can serve as examples to other people,” she said.Senator Tito Rutaremara urged parliamentarians to play a major role in helping to stem the vice.Parliament shouldn’t leave this to other players but should also do something about it, he said.

National

Transparency Rwanda wants sex based corruption criminalised