Mass-based political awareness and critical understanding of the root causes of injustice, discrimination and oppression, and strategies to change this; typically used to imply popular consciousness for just, inclusive visions of society.

Independent or outside formal organisational control or direction.

A strong negative response at a popular level or among an influential group to changes in society. Typically used to describe organised responses that seek to maintain unjust power relations or reverse positive gains made towards justice or equality.

A movement-building strategy common in feminist movements. It involves creating group processes to explore personal experiences of violation and/or empowerment and develop a critical understanding of the root causes of oppression, deepen knowledge of history (including activist and alternative perspectives on mainstream history) and build solidarit [..]

A term used to describe the hidden layers within societies, organisations and movements where a number of unconscious or even conscious but hidden processes occur. Within the deep structure lie assumptions taken for granted about gender roles and the place of women. These assumptions are below awareness level, and are, therefore, not talked about o [..]

An equal society is one in which everyone can flourish. The diverse needs, situations and goals of individuals are recognised, discrimination and prejudice are removed, and the economic, political, legal, social and physical barriers that limit what people can do and be are tackled (Burchardt and Vizard 2007).

A set of ideologies that espouse extreme social, political and economic conservatisms and rejection of social and cultural diversity; often linked to racist, sexist, xenophobic and homophobic views, including legitimising acts of violence against specific groups.

Political frameworks and social movements that identify patriarchal power as a fundamental source of injustice and inequality, and hence call to transform gender power relations in all domains. Feminisms are diverse in their origins and expressions, and include analyses and actions around how patriarchal power intersects with other systems of power [..]

Movements that align themselves with feminism as a political ideology and seek to challenge inequalities and injustices between women and men, framing these as a challenge to patriarchy and patriarchal power relations. Feminist movements have historically been built and constituted by women, although men and trans individuals and movements also ali [..]

The socially constructed identities, behaviours and practices tied to being a girl/woman or boy/man. There is growing acknowledgment in theory, law and social practice that the binary definition of gender (i.e. only two genders) does not fully account for the diversity of gender identities that exist, including those of trans and intersex people.