Beyond increasing political representation: how social-psychological factors influence women’s willingness to report corruption in Tanzania

This article examines how social-psychological factors, such as culturally shaped perceptions, internalised gender norms, attitudes, and expectations – influence women’s willingness to report corruption in Tanzania. Using both theory and empirical evidence, the study argues that increasing women’s political representation alone is not enough to strengthen their involvement in anti-corruption efforts unless the social-psychological factors shaping their behaviour are also addressed. Drawing on qualitative data generated through semi-structured interviews with 36 respondents in the Lindi and Mwanza regions, and analysed thematically using NVivo, the study is informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory. The findings identify three interrelated barriers to corruption reporting: fear of retaliation, perceived incompetence, and compassionate reluctance. The article critically interrogates the assumption that increasing women’s political representation is sufficient to enhance their engagement in anti-corruption processes. Although women widely recognise corruption as a serious social concern, their reluctance to report it persists due to social-psychological and cultural constraints that extend beyond institutional arrangements and confidentiality mechanisms. By foregrounding these underlying factors, the study demonstrates that effective empowerment requires deliberate engagement with the cultural and psychological conditions shaping women’s reporting behaviour.