An examination of the ways in which gender may play a role in the perpetration and experience of political violence, including terrorism, war, and genocide.
Gender theory: The conceptual framework that explains the socially constructed differences between men and women and how societal expectations and norms shape gender identities.
Patriarchy: The social structure that privileges men over women and reinforces gender inequalities in society.
Political violence: The use of violent means to achieve political objectives, such as terrorism, civil war, and state-sponsored violence.
Feminist theory: The critical perspective that examines the power dynamics between men and women, and how patriarchal structures contribute to gender inequalities.
Sexual violence: The use of sexual acts, including rape, assault, and harassment, as a means of intimidation and control.
Intersectionality: The concept that individuals experience multiple forms of oppression, such as gender, race, and class, which interact and shape their experiences of political violence.
Conflict resolution: Strategies and techniques to address and resolve conflicts, including peaceful negotiation and mediation.
Human rights: Fundamental rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to, including the right to live without fear of violence and discrimination.
State-sponsored violence: The use of violence by governments against their citizens, including repression of dissent, police brutality, and extrajudicial killings.
Masculinity: The culturally defined characteristics and behaviors associated with being male, including the use of violence to prove one's masculinity.
Trauma: The psychological and emotional effects of experiencing or witnessing political violence, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Women's empowerment: Efforts to enhance women's agency, autonomy, and opportunities, including through education, economic empowerment, and political representation.
Peacebuilding: The process of creating conditions for lasting peace and stability after a conflict, including rebuilding infrastructure, establishing a new political order, and addressing underlying societal issues.
Humanitarianism: The principles and actions that seek to alleviate suffering and promote human welfare, including the provision of aid and support to victims of political violence.
Militarization: The process by which a society becomes more reliant on military power and institutions, and the impact this has on gender and political violence.
Sexual violence: Violence that is sexual in nature, such as rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.
Physical violence: Violence that results in bodily harm or injury, such as beatings or torture.
Psychological violence: Violence that targets an individual's mental health, such as emotional abuse or threats.
Economic violence: Violence that is economic in nature, such as discrimination in the workplace or wage disparities.
Political violence: Violence that is motivated by political factors, such as political assassinations or intimidation of political opponents.
Structural violence: Violence that is embedded in social and political structures, such as institutionalized discrimination or systemic inequality.
Domestic violence: Violence that occurs within the context of a familial or intimate relationship, such as spousal or child abuse.
Honor-based violence: Violence that is committed in the name of preserving family or societal honor, such as honor killings.