On the occasion of the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women and the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, FIDH released “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: A Glossary from A to Z” to shed light on 61 essential terms related to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the context in which such crimes are committed, and the standards that must be respected when engaging with survivors.
Sexual and gender-based violence affects millions of people around the world, women, girls, men, boys, and gender minorities. It is prevalent in times of peace and conflict, and is directly tied to the structural inequalities between genders, in particular the domination of men over women. Despite its widespread nature, very few victims receive the protection, recognition, or justice they need.
With this publication, FIDH aims to contribute to reducing the persistent under documentation, under-investigation, and under-prosecution of SGBV – a deficiency partly rooted in widespread misunderstanding of what SGBV is, the context in which it occurs, and how to interact with survivors. The glossary thus represents a practical handbook and starting point for those who document, litigate, raise awareness, or conduct advocacy on this issue, seeking to identify and clarify the key definitions practitioners working on SGBV should be well-acquainted with.
As more people strive to understand the nature, scope, and consequences of such violence it is important to recognise that words are powerful – from “consent,” “gender,” and “femicide” to “virginity testing” and “war crimes”. It is equally important to make sure that international standards – such as “do no harm” and “confidentiality” – are well understood and respected when engaging with SGBV survivors.
