Glossary
Results 61 to 69 of 69
S
- Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a person's identity in relation to the gender(s) to which they are attracted emotionally, physically and/or sexually (e.g. heterosexual, homosexual, pansexual, asexual).
- Shrinking Spaces
“Shrinking spaces” refers to the increasing constraints on civil society’s freedom of action worldwide. Measures range from restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly to bans on civil society organisations. In extreme cases, members of social movements or organisations are criminalised, threatened or even murdered.
- SRHR
The term “sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)” refers to unrestricted physical, mental and social wellbeing in relation to all aspects of sexuality and reproduction. It aims to safeguard sexual and reproductive health and individual self-determination. This includes every person’s right to decide freely on matters relating to parenthood, the number and spacing of births, and sexuality; it also includes safeguarding non-discriminatory access to information, health services and resources.
- STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
U
- UN
United Nations
- UNSC
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote.
V
- VAWG
Violence against Women and Girls shall mean all acts of gender-based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women.
W
- White/Whiteness
The terms “white/whiteness” do not refer to a biological characteristic or an actual skin colour but denote characteristics and experiences which are generally associated with belonging to a white majority society. Over the course of history, whiteness and the normalisation of white ethnic identity have created a culture in which non-white people are regarded as inferior, unusual or as (negatively connoted) “others”. Being white means having advantages, privileges and power. For example, white people are regarded as the norm and are privileged in that they do not have to deal with racism. White/ whiteness is thus a political and social construct which reflects the unequal power relations and privileged (social, political and cultural) position of white people in society.
- Women's (rights) movement
The women’s rights movement, or women’s movement, is a social movement which advocates for women’s equality in all sectors of society, politics and the economy. It encompasses women’s efforts to achieve emancipation, freedom and equality, as well as women’s advocacy for their rights.