This briefing paper explores the link between gender and corruption in licensing and highlights the need to address gender inequality in the fight to curb corruption in the mining sector.

The paper first sets out the gendered impacts of corruption in the licensing phase, showing how corruption has a gendered dimension and can have a disproportionate impact on women.

Second, in recognition that women have an important role to play in decisions about mining projects and in combatting corruption, the paper highlights some of the barriers to women’s participation that need to be addressed to support women’s voice and agency.

Third, the paper makes recommendations for key actions that governments, mining companies and civil society should take to design and implement measures to reduce gender inequality and corruption within the mining sector, and particularly at the licensing stage, minimise the gendered impacts of corruption, and build an accountable and transparent licensing process.