DICTIONARY

It is a manifestation of unequal power relations between men and women which leads to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the advancement of women (United Nations, 1996). It is a serious violation of universal human rights. More specifically, it is a violation of the right to life, freedom, and personal security; of the right to physical and mental health; of the right to movement, opinion, of the right to education and personal development, of the right to cultural, political, public participation etc.
Statistics around the world show that girls and women are most often victims. Therefore, the terms gender-based violence and violence against women are often used interchangeably.

Is a social category, like the class, the ethnicity, the level of education, the age, through which society defines the roles and the relationship between women and men in society. Gender refers to those meanings and social and cultural norms associated with men/women. While sex refers to the biological differences between women and men, gender refers to the constructed and imposed social and cultural differences, which sometimes turn into prejudice and gender discrimination.

A gender stereotype is a generalized view or preconception about attributes or characteristics, or the roles that are or ought to be possessed by, or performed by, women and men. A gender stereotype is harmful when it limits women’s and men’s capacity to develop their personal abilities, pursue their professional careers and/or make choices about their lives. (Definition of the United Nations here )
Examples: „Girls should play with dolls and girls should play with trucks” / „Boys should engage in sports and refrain from more creative pursuits” / „A boy that does not use violence or aggression is an understandable target for bullying” / „Girls should be thin and beautiful to make them appealing to men. ” Source

Gender equality means Equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men and girls and boys. Equality does not mean that women and men will become the same but that women’s and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born female or male. Gender equality implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration, thereby recognising the diversity of different groups of women and men. Gender equality is not a women’s issue but should concern and fully engage men as well as women. Equality between women and men is seen both as a human rights issue and as a precondition for, and indicator of, sustainable people-centred development. Source European Institute for Gender Equality