Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation Terminology

Browse the glossary using this index

Special | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL

G

Gender

Refers to social and cultural differences between males and females.

‘Sex’ refers strictly to biological determinations and chromosomes.

Gender Equality

Gender equality entails the concept that all human beings, both men and women, are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without the limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles, or prejudices.

Gender equality means that the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are considered, valued and favored equally. It does not mean that women and men have to become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female.

Gender Sensitivity

Requires paying attention to the different experiences and capacities of males
and females related to human security, development and peacebuilding.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

GBV is defined as physical, sexual, and physiological violence against both men and women that occurs within the family and the community and is perpetrated or condoned by the state.

In conflict situations, GBV is committed against civilians and soldiers. It is not an accidental side effect of war, but a crime against the individual and an act of aggression against an entire community or nation.

Keyword(s):

Genocide

Acts aiming to significantly reduce or eliminate entirely a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group through murder, physical or mental harm, unfit living conditions, birth prevention, or forcible population transfer.

Governance

Any type of governing structures; both formal and informal by state, business, or civil
society. It includes any tradition and institution that makes decisions and provides resources to manage society's problems and affairs. In most societies today, informal, non-state governance structures complement or exist outside of formal state governance.

Good governance is a form of governance that embodies eight specific characteristics, and can be seen as an ideal of governance. Good governance embodies processes that are “participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and [which follow] the rule of law”

Ground Rules

Norms of conduct that the parties to a process come up with by mutual agreement that enables a decision-making process to flow easier.

Guerrilla

A member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces.

Guerrilla Warfare

Irregular, often protracted, warfare predominantly targeted against an incumbent (existing) government and conducted by paramilitary or voluntary forces operating outside of conventional military organizations.

Guerrilla techniques require maintaining secrecy and avoiding direct confrontations. Among classical guerrilla techniques are hit-and-run operations, sabotage, ambushes, and partisan warfare behind enemy lines.