Gender and Diversity in Humanitarian Action
Expert-defined terms from the Global Certificate in Humanitarian Aid and Refugee Management course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Gender and Diversity in Humanitarian Action #
Gender and Diversity in Humanitarian Action
Gender and diversity in humanitarian action refer to the critical consideration… #
This approach recognizes that different groups may experience crises differently and that their unique needs must be addressed to ensure an effective and inclusive humanitarian response.
Gender #
Gender
Gender refers to the social roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a… #
It is not synonymous with biological sex but is constructed by society and can vary across cultures and contexts. Gender norms and expectations can influence access to resources, decision-making power, and vulnerability to risks during humanitarian crises.
Diversity #
Diversity
Diversity encompasses the range of human differences, including but not limited… #
Embracing diversity in humanitarian action means recognizing and valuing the unique characteristics, experiences, and perspectives of individuals and communities affected by crises.
Intersectionality #
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is a framework that recognizes that individuals may experience… #
In humanitarian action, an intersectional approach involves considering how different aspects of a person's identity intersect to shape their experiences and needs during a crisis.
Gender Mainstreaming #
Gender Mainstreaming
Gender mainstreaming is the process of integrating a gender perspective into all… #
It aims to ensure that gender considerations are systematically included and addressed at every stage of the humanitarian response to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.
Gender Analysis #
Gender Analysis
Gender analysis involves examining how gender roles, norms, and power dynamics i… #
It helps humanitarian practitioners understand the differential impacts of emergencies on different genders and design targeted interventions to address gender-specific needs and vulnerabilities.
Gender #
Based Violence (GBV)
Gender #
based violence refers to any harmful act that is perpetrated against an individual's will and is based on socially constructed gender norms and power differentials. GBV can take many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence, and is a pervasive issue in humanitarian settings. Addressing GBV requires a multi-sectoral approach that includes prevention, response, and mitigation strategies.
Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) #
Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)
The Women, Peace, and Security agenda is a framework established by the United N… #
The WPS agenda recognizes the unique contributions of women to peace and security efforts and calls for the inclusion of gender perspectives in all aspects of conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) #
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
Sexual and reproductive health and rights encompass the right of all individuals… #
In humanitarian settings, SRHR services are essential to protect the health and well-being of women, girls, and other vulnerable populations, including access to contraception, maternal healthcare, and services for survivors of sexual violence.
Child Protection #
Child Protection
Child protection in humanitarian action involves ensuring the safety, well #
being, and rights of children affected by emergencies, including protection from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Child protection interventions may include family tracing and reunification, psychosocial support, education, and legal assistance to prevent and respond to violations of children's rights during crises.
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) #
Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
Persons with disabilities are individuals who have physical, sensory, intellectu… #
In humanitarian settings, PWD face unique challenges and barriers to accessing essential services, information, and support. Inclusive humanitarian action involves recognizing and accommodating the diverse needs and capacities of PWD to ensure their rights and dignity are upheld.
Aging Population #
Aging Population
The aging population refers to the increasing proportion of older persons in the… #
Older people may face specific vulnerabilities during crises, such as limited mobility, chronic health conditions, and social isolation, requiring tailored interventions to meet their needs and ensure their well-being.
LGBTQI+ Communities #
LGBTQI+ Communities
LGBTQI+ communities encompass individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual… #
LGBTQI+ persons may face discrimination, stigma, and violence in humanitarian settings, making it essential to ensure their protection and inclusion in humanitarian programming. Respecting the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals means recognizing and addressing their specific needs and vulnerabilities during crises.
Refugee Women and Girls #
Refugee Women and Girls
Refugee women and girls constitute a significant proportion of displaced populat… #
Gender-responsive humanitarian programming for refugee women and girls involves providing safe spaces, reproductive health services, livelihood opportunities, and psychosocial support to address their specific needs and promote their empowerment.
Indigenous Peoples #
Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples are distinct cultural groups that have a historical connectio… #
Recognizing the rights and perspectives of indigenous peoples is crucial in humanitarian action to ensure their inclusion, participation, and self-determination in decision-making processes that affect their communities and traditional lands.
Climate Migrants #
Climate Migrants
Climate migrants are individuals who are forced to leave their homes and communi… #
Climate-induced displacement can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and inequalities, requiring an intersectional approach that considers the gender, age, disability, and other characteristics of affected populations to provide appropriate support and assistance.
Urban Displacement #
Urban Displacement
Urban displacement refers to the movement of people from rural areas to urban ce… #
Urban displacement presents unique challenges for humanitarian responders, including limited access to services, overcrowded living conditions, and social fragmentation. Addressing the needs of urban displaced populations requires innovative approaches that consider the diverse characteristics and dynamics of urban settings.
Humanitarian Principles #
Humanitarian Principles
Humanitarian principles are a set of core values that guide humanitarian action… #
The four primary humanitarian principles are humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These principles emphasize the importance of prioritizing the needs of affected populations, avoiding political or religious bias, providing assistance based on need alone, and maintaining autonomy from external influences to uphold the dignity and rights of crisis-affected individuals.
Gender Equality #
Gender Equality
Gender equality refers to the equal rights, opportunities, and treatment of all… #
Achieving gender equality requires challenging discriminatory norms, practices, and policies that perpetuate gender-based disparities and barriers. In humanitarian action, promoting gender equality involves addressing the root causes of gender inequality, empowering women and girls, and engaging men and boys as allies in advancing gender justice and social change.
Inclusive Programming #
Inclusive Programming
Inclusive programming in humanitarian action involves designing and implementing… #
Inclusive programming aims to ensure that the diverse needs, perspectives, and capacities of affected populations are considered and addressed to promote participation, dignity, and empowerment. Examples of inclusive programming include community consultations, targeted outreach, and adaptive technologies to reach diverse populations in crisis-affected areas.
Non #
Discrimination
Non #
discrimination is a fundamental principle of humanitarian action that prohibits unfair treatment or exclusion based on any grounds, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. Non-discrimination requires humanitarian actors to recognize and address the specific needs and vulnerabilities of all individuals and communities affected by crises without prejudice or bias. Upholding non-discrimination ensures that humanitarian assistance is provided equitably and without discrimination to promote the rights and well-being of all crisis-affected populations.
Participation and Accountability #
Participation and Accountability
Participation and accountability are key principles of humanitarian action that… #
Meaningful participation ensures that the voices, priorities, and feedback of affected communities are heard and respected throughout the humanitarian response. Accountability entails transparency, responsiveness, and integrity in the delivery of assistance and the management of resources to ensure that humanitarian actors are held responsible for their actions and commitments to affected populations.
Capacity Building #
Capacity Building
Capacity building in humanitarian action involves strengthening the knowledge, s… #
Capacity building initiatives may include training sessions, workshops, mentorship programs, and technical assistance to enhance the resilience and sustainability of local actors and institutions. Building the capacity of diverse stakeholders in humanitarian contexts promotes ownership, sustainability, and effectiveness in addressing humanitarian challenges and meeting the needs of crisis-affected populations.
Gender #
Responsive Programming
Gender #
responsive programming in humanitarian action involves tailoring interventions to address the specific needs, priorities, and capacities of different genders to ensure equitable outcomes and empowerment. Gender-responsive programming goes beyond simply targeting women and girls to consider the diverse experiences and vulnerabilities of men, boys, and gender-diverse individuals in crisis-affected contexts. Examples of gender-responsive programming include providing safe spaces for women and girls, promoting male engagement in gender equality, and addressing harmful gender norms and stereotypes through community-based initiatives.
Intersectional Approach #
Intersectional Approach
An intersectional approach in humanitarian action involves considering how multi… #
Intersectionality recognizes that individuals may face overlapping and intersecting forms of discrimination based on their race, gender, class, sexuality, disability, and other social identities. By adopting an intersectional approach, humanitarian actors can better understand and address the complex and interconnected challenges faced by diverse populations in crisis settings and promote more inclusive and effective responses.
Gender Analysis Tools #
Gender Analysis Tools
Gender analysis tools are methodologies, frameworks, and instruments used to sys… #
Gender analysis tools help humanitarian practitioners collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data, identify gender-specific needs and vulnerabilities, and integrate gender considerations into program design and implementation. Examples of gender analysis tools include gender impact assessments, gender audits, and gender-sensitive indicators to measure the effectiveness and inclusivity of humanitarian interventions.
Gender #
Responsive Needs Assessment
A gender #
responsive needs assessment is a process of collecting and analyzing data on the distinct needs, priorities, and capacities of different genders in crisis-affected communities to inform the design and implementation of humanitarian interventions. A gender-responsive needs assessment involves consulting with men, women, boys, and girls to understand their diverse experiences, concerns, and aspirations, and to ensure that interventions are tailored to address their specific needs and promote gender equality and empowerment. Conducting a gender-responsive needs assessment is essential to developing targeted, effective, and inclusive humanitarian responses that meet the diverse needs of crisis-affected populations.
Gender Equality Training #
Gender Equality Training
Gender equality training is a capacity #
building initiative that aims to raise awareness, build knowledge, and strengthen skills among humanitarian actors on gender equality, diversity, and inclusion. Gender equality training helps practitioners understand the root causes of gender inequality, recognize their own biases and privileges, and apply gender-sensitive approaches in their work. Training sessions may cover topics such as gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, gender-based violence prevention, and gender-responsive programming to promote a more inclusive, equitable, and effective humanitarian response.
Gender #
Transformative Approach
A gender #
transformative approach in humanitarian action seeks to challenge and change the unequal power relations, norms, and structures that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and violence. A gender-transformative approach goes beyond addressing the symptoms of gender inequality to tackle the root causes and drivers of gender-based disparities. It aims to promote positive social change, empower marginalized groups, and transform harmful gender norms and stereotypes to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive society. Adopting a gender-transformative approach requires collective action, critical reflection, and sustained commitment to advancing gender equality and social justice in humanitarian settings.
Gender Equality Indicators #
Gender Equality Indicators
Gender equality indicators are quantitative and qualitative measures used to tra… #
Gender equality indicators help humanitarian practitioners assess the extent to which gender considerations are integrated into policies, programs, and activities and measure the effectiveness of interventions in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Examples of gender equality indicators include women's participation rates, gender pay gaps, access to reproductive health services, and prevalence of gender-based violence to ensure accountability, transparency, and results-oriented approaches in advancing gender equality in humanitarian action.
Gender #
Responsive Monitoring and Evaluation
Gender #
responsive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is a systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and using data to assess the extent to which gender considerations are integrated into humanitarian programs and to measure the impact of interventions on gender equality and empowerment. Gender-responsive M&E involves incorporating gender-sensitive indicators, sex-disaggregated data, and participatory methods to track progress, identify gaps, and inform decision-making in humanitarian action. By adopting a gender-responsive M&E framework, humanitarian actors can ensure that their programs are accountable, evidence-based, and responsive to the diverse needs and priorities of crisis-affected populations.
Gender #
Responsive Budgeting
Gender #
responsive budgeting is a strategic tool used to analyze, allocate, and track financial resources in a way that promotes gender equality, women's empowerment, and social inclusion in humanitarian programming. Gender-responsive budgeting involves assessing how budget decisions impact different genders, addressing gender disparities in resource allocation, and investing in initiatives that advance gender equality outcomes. By integrating a gender lens into budget planning and decision-making processes, humanitarian organizations can ensure that their investments are equitable, effective, and sustainable, and contribute to positive social change and transformative impact.
Gender Equality Advocacy #
Gender Equality Advocacy
Gender equality advocacy involves raising awareness, mobilizing support, and inf… #
Gender equality advocates work to challenge discriminatory norms, laws, and institutions, and to advance gender-responsive approaches that address the root causes of gender inequality and promote women's empowerment. Advocacy efforts may include campaigning for gender-sensitive policies, engaging in public discourse, and building coalitions to amplify the voices of marginalized groups and drive systemic change in humanitarian settings.
Gender #
Responsive Leadership
Gender #
responsive leadership entails fostering an inclusive, empowering, and equitable organizational culture that promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in humanitarian action. Gender-responsive leaders champion gender equality principles, support the professional development of women and gender-diverse individuals, and create opportunities for diverse voices to be heard and valued. By modeling gender-responsive behaviors, promoting inclusive practices, and advocating for gender equality initiatives, leaders can drive organizational change, inspire collective action, and advance social justice and human rights in humanitarian contexts.
Gender Equality Policy #
Gender Equality Policy
A gender equality policy is a formal statement or framework that outlines an org… #
A gender equality policy articulates the values, objectives, and strategies for integrating gender considerations into all aspects of an organization's work, from recruitment and training to program design and implementation. By adopting a gender equality policy, humanitarian organizations signal their commitment to upholding gender equality principles, fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity, and driving positive change towards gender justice and social transformation in their operations and impact.
Gender Equality Impact Assessment #
Gender Equality Impact Assessment
A gender equality impact assessment is a systematic process of evaluating how po… #
A gender equality impact assessment helps humanitarian organizations analyze the differential effects of their interventions on men, women, boys, and girls, and ensure that gender considerations are integrated into decision-making processes and resource allocation. By conducting a gender equality impact assessment, organizations can mitigate unintended consequences, maximize positive outcomes, and promote more inclusive, equitable, and effective humanitarian responses that address the diverse needs and priorities of crisis-affected populations.
Gender Equality Training Module #
Gender Equality Training Module
A gender equality training module is a structured curriculum or learning resourc… #
A gender equality training module may cover topics such as gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, gender-based violence prevention, and women's empowerment to provide participants with the tools and strategies to apply gender-responsive approaches in their work. By developing and delivering gender equality training modules, organizations can promote a culture of gender equality, foster inclusive practices, and enhance the capacity of staff to address gender disparities and promote social change in humanitarian settings.
Gender #
Responsive Communication Strategy
A gender #
responsive communication strategy is a plan that outlines how humanitarian organizations will communicate with diverse audiences on gender equality issues, women's rights, and social inclusion in their programs and activities. A gender-responsive communication strategy aims to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and promote positive messaging on gender equality to engage stakeholders, mobilize support, and drive social change. By developing a gender-responsive communication strategy, organizations can ensure that their messaging is inclusive, respectful, and reflective of the diverse needs and perspectives of crisis-affected populations, and contribute to advancing gender justice and empowerment in humanitarian action.
Gender Equality Research Project #
Gender Equality Research Project
A gender equality research project is an inquiry or investigation that aims to g… #
A gender equality research project may focus on topics such as gender-based violence, women's leadership, gender-responsive programming, or men's engagement in gender equality to inform policy, practice, and advocacy efforts. By conducting a gender equality research project, organizations can contribute to the evidence base, promote data-driven decision-making, and advance gender equality outcomes in humanitarian action to create positive social change and transformative impact for crisis-affected populations.
Gender Equality Monitoring Tool #
Gender Equality Monitoring Tool
A gender equality monitoring tool is a resource or instrument used to track and… #
A gender equality monitoring tool helps organizations collect, analyze, and report on gender-sensitive data, indicators, and targets to assess the effectiveness and inclusivity of their interventions. By using a gender equality monitoring tool, organizations can monitor trends, identify gaps, and inform decision-making to ensure that their programs are accountable, evidence-based, and responsive to the diverse needs and priorities of crisis-affected populations, and contribute to advancing gender justice and empowerment in humanitarian contexts.
Gender Equality Evaluation Framework #
Gender Equality Evaluation Framework
A gender equality evaluation framework is a structured approach or methodology u… #
A gender equality evaluation framework helps organizations measure the impact, outcomes,