Statistical Terms Glossary

Control over resources implies that women can obtain access to a resource as and can also make decisions about the use of that resource. For example, control over land means that women can access land (use it), can own land (can be the legal title-holders), and can make decisions about whether to sell or rent the land.

CEDAW, which was adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is also known as the international bill of rights for women. Currently, over 90% of the members of the United Nations are party to the Convention, making it the second most ratified convention, following the Rights of the Child. CEDAW articulates the nature and meaning of sex-based discrimination and gender equality, and lays out State obligations to eliminate discrimination and achieve substantive equality. The Convention covers not only discriminatory laws, but also practices and customs, and it applies not only to State action, but also State responsibility to address discrimination against women by private actors. The Convention covers both civil and political rights (rights to vote, to participate in public life, to acquire, change or retain their nationality, equality before the law and freedom of movement) and economic, social and cultural rights (rights to education, work, health and financial credit). CEDAW also pays specific attention to particular phenomena such as trafficking, certain groups of women, such as rural women, and specific areas where there are special risks to women’s full enjoyment of their human rights, such as matters related to marriage and the family. CEDAW also specifies the different ways in which States Parties are to eliminate discrimination, including through appropriate legislation prohibiting discrimination, or positive action to improve the status of women.

This United Nations convention (1989) and its optional protocols outline rights to be enjoyed without discrimination, including on the grounds of gender. The legalframework includes all fundamental human rights treaties with provisions confirming the principle of non-discrimination and equality between men and women, and boys and girls. Among those treaties, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)relates directly to the situation and well-being of girls.

The sharing of information and the deconfliction of activities as much as possible among independent individuals or institutions so as not to undermine a shared goal.

Corrective rape is a form of rape of perpetrated against someone on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is intended to force the victim to conform to heterosexuality or normative gender identity.

Antisocial acts that place the actor at risk of becoming a  focus of the attention of criminal and/or juvenile justice professionals.

Aspects of culture and social life − exemplified by religion, ideology, language, art, law and science − that can be used to justify or legitimise direct or structural violence, making direct and structural violence look, or even feel, right − or at least not wrong.

The shared beliefs, traits, attitudes, behavior, products, and artifacts common to a particular social or ethnic group.The term cross-cultural refers to interactions across cultures and reflects the fact that different cultures may have different communication styles and negotiating behavior. The term multicultural refers to the acceptance of different ethnic cultures within a society. Cultural sensitivity means being aware of cultural differences and how they affect behavior, and moving beyond cultural biases and preconceptions to interact effectively.

Violence against women and girls when who are confined to a location where their rights are controlled.

Conserving, raising up and serving the child’s needs until he/she is not needing others for feeding. It’s normally the woman’s right, if the religious conditions are met, up to a specific age. This age differs according to different religious sects, but then the right for custody goes back  to the man.

Harassment by means of email, text (or online) messages or the internet. It can take many forms, including but not limited to: Unwanted sexually explicit emails, text (or online) messages;Inappropriate or offensive advances on social networking websites or internet chat rooms;Threats of physical and/or sexual violence by email, text (or online) messages; Hate speech, meaning language that denigrates, insults, threatens or targets an individual based on her identity (gender) and other traits (such as sexual orientation or disability).

Stalking by means of email, text (or online) messages or the internet. Stalking involves repeated incidents, which may or may not individually be innocuous acts, but combined undermine the victim’s sense of safety and cause distress, fear or alarm. Acts can include: Sending emails, text messages (SMS) or instant messages that are offensive or threatening; Posting offensive comments about the respondent on the internet; Sharing intimate photos or videos of the respondent, on the internet or by mobile phone. To be considered as cyber stalking, these acts must take place repeatedly and be perpetrated by the same person.

Gender-based violence that is perpetrated through electronic communication and the internet.

In 1993 the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which serves as a complement to CEDAW in efforts to eliminate violence against women. The Declaration defines “violence against women” as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. It establishes that violence against women shall be understood to encompass, but not be limited to physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, within the general community and perpetrated or condoned by the state. Finally, it argues that states should condemn violence against women and should not invoke any custom, tradition, or religious consideration to avoid their obligations with respect to its elimination.

Limited legitimacy of democracy and impact of an inadequate gender balance, i.e. of overrepresentation of men and underrepresentation of women, on the legitimacy of democracy.

Provision of care for those who are young, ill, elderly or less able, or deprived of abilities to care for themselves, and who are dependent on the care provided by another person.

Rights, notably social security benefits or residence, are the rights that accrue to an individual but which originate from and depend on her or his relationship with another person, usually a relationship of parenthood, marriage or cohabitation.

This refers to policies aiming to reduce or eliminate segregation (vertical and horizontal) in the labour market.

Long-term efforts aimed at bringing improvements in the economic, political, and social status, environmental stability, and the quality of life for all segments of the population.

Sexual thoughts or behavior, that is significantly different from the norms of a particular society.

Refers to the different ways in which gender norms, roles and relations affect women and men’s exposure to risk factors. For example, due to the gender-based division of labour different groups of women and men are exposed to different risks for work-related injuries or illnesses (paid activities) or women’s gender roles with respect to food preparation in low and mid income settings (unpaid activities) often exposes them to unsafe cooking fuels more often than men.

Refers to differences in access to and control over resources that may increase vulnerability to illness and disease.

Right of all employees to be treated with dignity and respect and in particular to enjoy a safe working environment that is free from sexual harassment, harassment and any other act of gender-based violence.

Discrimination where one person is treated less favourably on grounds such as sex and gender, age, nationality, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, health, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, than another person is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation.

Violence focusing on all acts of gender-based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm to, or suffering of, women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.

Groups of persons that experience a higher risk of poverty, social exclusion, discrimination and violence than the general population, including, but not limited to, ethnic minorities, migrants, people with disabilities, isolated elderly people and children.

Distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.

The displacement of people refers to the forced movement of people from their locality or environment and occupational activities. It is a form of social change caused by a number of factors, the most common being armed conflict. Natural disasters, famine, development and economic changes may also be a cause of displacement.

Differences in the values, attitudes, cultural perspective, beliefs, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, skills, knowledge and life experiences of each individual in any group of people.

Defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur within a range of relationships including couples who are married, living together or dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.