Glossary
Results 41 to 50 of 69
I
- IFC
International Finance Corporation
- Inequality
Inequality takes a multitude of forms and generally refers to differences in access to opportunities, power and resources. Inequality exists not only within societies but also between countries and between the Global North and the Global South. Inequalities should not be regarded as a given, however; they were, and are, produced and reproduced by power systems such as patriarchy and racism. They ensure that across the world, people with different identity characteristics have highly unequal life chances, access to resources and opportunities for social, political and economic participation.
- Intersectionality
Intersectionality describes how different characteristics that give rise to discrimination against individuals are combined and become mutually reinforcing. This means that forms of discrimination on the grounds of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social or national origin, disabilities, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or belonging to or being associated with a particular religion, for example, cannot be viewed as separate from each other or as merely cumulative; instead, new modes of discrimination emerge at the intersections between them. For example, a Black woman experiences discrimination not only as a woman due to society’s patriarchal structures, but also as a Black person due to its racist structures. The interaction of the power systems of patriarchy and racism produces a new form of discrimination: discrimination against Black women.
- IPV
Intimate Partner Violence refers to behaviour by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours.
L
- Leave no one behind
Leave no one behind (LNOB) is the core pledge made in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations. All member states undertake to leave no one behind and thus to focus particularly on addressing the needs of marginalised persons and groups. To that end, it is essential to eliminate discriminatory laws, policies and social norms that undermine people’s rights and limit their capacity for action.
- LGBTIQ*
LGBTIQ* stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender*, Intersexual* and Queer. The star (*) at the end considers people who do not or not solely identify their gender with the above mentioned terms.
M
- Mainstreaming
Mainstreaming means that a specific topic must be considered in all decisions and processes. In development policy, a mainstreaming approach is pursued in areas such as gender equality (gender mainstreaming), inclusion of persons with disabilities, and action against HIV/AIDS. Gender mainstreaming is thus the strategic approach for promoting gender equality. This means that in political and social projects and decisions, the diverse life situations and interests of women, men and people with other gender identities must be considered.
- Marginalisation
Marginalisation describes the process whereby individuals or groups are pushed to the edges of society. It is based on the notion that there is a “centre of society“ and that people may be closer to it or further away. People may typically experi ence social, cultural, economic or geographical marginalisation. It often takes place at several levels simultaneously – for example, in the case of a single mother who lives in a peripheral urban area with poor amenities.
- MENA
Middle East and North Africa
- Menstrual health and hygiene
Menstrual health and hygiene includes menstruation hygiene management and other systemic factors that link menstruation to health, wellbeing, gender equality, education, equal opportunities, empowerment and rights. These systemic factors include accurate and timely knowledge-sharing, the availability of safe and affordable period products, well-informed and competent professionals, access to health services, sanitation and washing facilities, positive social norms, and safe and hygienic disposal.