Glossary

These are factors at an individual, household, community or institutional level which are known to increase the risk of an individual perpetrating or experiencing violence against women and girls. For example, we have evidence that harmful social norms which tolerate inequitable gender roles and the use of violence significantly increase the risk of VAWG in that context.

Sexual abuse means actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. Any sexual activity with children (persons under the age of 18 years) constitutes sexual abuse. Sexual exploitation means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or perceived to cause offence or humiliation. Sexual harassment may occur in a variety of public and private spaces including workplaces, school and university campuses, and other institutional contexts as well as on the streets and on public transport. While typically involving a pattern of conduct, sexual harassment may take the form of a single incident.

These are factors which can trigger an incident of violence in a particular moment in time. For example, in the case of intimate partner violence this might include an accusation of infidelity, a conflict over use of money, or refusal of sexual intercourse.

• Specific: Indicators should be specific and clearly defined, with a clear meaning and scope.
• Measurable: Indicators should be quantifiable and measurable, so that progress towards the goal can be tracked over time.
• Achievable: Indicators should be achievable and realistic, meaning that they can be realistically measured given the available resources and data.
• Relevant: Indicators should be relevant to the goals and objectives of the programme or project.
• Time-bound: Indicators should be time-bound, with a clear timeframe for measurement.

Social norms are the informal social rules that govern the behaviour of a group or society. They are influenced by belief systems, perceptions of what others expect and do, and sometimes by perceived rewards and sanctions. Social norms exist at the level of groups and are inherently social. They have influence because as humans we seek to fit in, to belong, to meet the expectations of our friends, families, cultures, and communities.

Survivors of gender-based violence deserve the highest quality of care, which puts their safety, priorities, and agency at the centre of activities. A survivor-centred approach is based on four guiding principles, which all informal and formal service providers - health, justice, social welfare, shelter, psychosocial support - should adhere to: Safety; Confidentiality; Respect and Non-Discrimination.

A transformative approach seeks to actively challenge inequalities based on gender, race, disability, sexual orientation and other social categories and identities - by transforming harmful social norms, attitudes and behaviours and working to redistribute power, resources and services more equally.

Universal design is the process of creating services that are accessible to people with a wide range of abilities, disabilities, and other characteristics. Universally designed services accommodate individual preferences and abilities; communicate necessary information effectively (regardless of the user's sensory abilities); and can be accessed and used regardless of the individual's body size, posture, or mobility. Application of universal design principles makes services more usable by everyone, not just people with disabilities.

This is a process of organising, mobilising ad facilitating communities and/or constituencies of women to respond to common problems and concerns. It usually involves developing a shared analysis of why the problem exists, a common vision and agenda for change, shared principles of action, development of short and long term strategies and agreement on structures of governance and accountability.