Glossary of Gender Equality Terms
Affirmative Action
Specific measures for women to correct inequalities compared to men, enforcing the constitutional right to equality. These actions, applicable while inequality persists, must be reasonable and proportionate to the objective.
Reconciliation
Creating conditions for balance between personal, family, and work life. Traditionally linked to women, it must evolve to genuine “responsibility,” considering men’s rights, especially regarding childcare and dependents, enabling women’s employment.
Stewardship
Beyond mere settlement or shared responsibility. Stewards have equal rights and duties, accountable for actions in situations or facilities under their charge.
Parity Democracy
Social and political organization with equal rights and participation for all groups in society, including decision-making and government.
Sex-Disaggregated Data
Collecting and disaggregating statistical information by sex, enabling comparative analysis considering gender specificities.
Direct Discrimination
Treating someone less favorably based on their sex compared to someone in a comparable situation.
Horizontal Discrimination
Women’s easier access to traditionally female-dominated jobs or studies, while facing barriers in male-dominated fields like science and technology.
Indirect Discrimination
A provision, criterion, or practice disadvantaging one sex unless objectively justified by a legitimate aim with appropriate and necessary means.
Vertical Discrimination
The “glass ceiling” limiting women’s career advancement, despite increased access to various jobs, with decision-making roles remaining predominantly male.
Gender Diversity
Incorporating gender values to address complexity and ambiguity in various environments. Women are seen as contributors with valuable societal contributions, not merely a disadvantaged group.
Empowerment
Increased women’s participation in decision-making and access to power. Also involves awareness of individual and collective power, reclaiming dignity.
Equality/Gender Discrimination
Gender equality means equal value regardless of sex, a fundamental right based on social justice. Gender discrimination is treating someone differently based on sex, affecting rights and opportunities.
Gender Stereotyping
Shared cultural beliefs about attributes or characteristics of men and women.
Equal Opportunities
Men and women having the same guarantees for full participation in all spheres, crucial for gender mainstreaming, enabling both to reach full potential and improve relationships.
Gender Impact
Identifying and assessing the different effects of a rule or policy on both sexes to neutralize potential discriminatory effects.
Female Equality Model
Aims for quality of life for all, requiring men’s full integration into unpaid work. Social and labor structures must accommodate both sexes equally sharing household work, balancing market and non-market activity.
Equal Male Model
Aims for equal labor market participation, with women gradually integrating on equal terms with men, focusing on the core activity traditionally held by men.
Sex-Gender System
Sex is the biological difference; gender is a socio-cultural construct defining emotional, intellectual, and behavioral traits assigned to male or female. Socialization differs by sex, with different cultural and social models based on traditional roles.
Transversality
Integrating gender perspective into all policies, systematically considering the situations, priorities, and needs of both sexes to promote equality, actively considering effects from planning to evaluation.