Gender-based Analysis Plus lexicons

Definition

The degree to which a product, service, program, or environment is available to be accessed or used by all.

Examples

• Braille display
• screen magnifier
• speech recognition software
• wheelchair ramps floor spaces and hallways are free of equipment and other barriers
• signage for better assistance
• sign language assistance

Definition

The length of time (in years) that a person has lived, or something has existed.

Examples

Statistics Canada uses different ways to express age. Qualitative descriptors of age include:

• children
• Youth
• young adults
• middle-aged adults
• older adults

Definition

A person who, by place of birth, nationality of one or both parents, or naturalization is granted full rights and responsibilities as a member of a nation or political community.

A person described as a citizen under the Citizenship Act as a person who:

• is Canadian by birth (either born in Canada or born outside Canada to a Canadian citizen who was themselves either born in Canada or granted citizenship), or
• has applied for a grant of citizenship and has received Canadian citizenship (naturalization)

Examples

• Canadian
• Non-Canadian
• Dual citizen

Definition

A physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, sensory, learning or communication impairment, or a functional limitation, whether apparent or not, and permanent, temporary, or episodic in nature, that hinders a person's full and equal participation in society when they face a barrier. It is a complex circumstance, showing how a person’s body and mind interact with the society they are part of.

A disability can occur at any time in a person's life; some people are born with a disability, while others develop a disability later in life. It can be permanent, temporary, or sporadic. Disability can gradually worsen, remain the same, or improve. It can be very mild to very severe. It can be the cause, as well as the result, of disease, illness, injury, or substance abuse.

Examples

Types of disabilities:

• vision (or seeing)
• hearing
• mobility
• flexibility
• dexterity
• pain-related
• learning
• developmental
• mental health-related
• memory

Definition

The variety of identities found within an organization, group, or society.

Examples

Diversity is expressed through factors such as:

• culture
• ethnicity
• religion
• sex
• gender
• sexual orientation
• age
• language
• education
• ability
• family status
• socioeconomic status

Definition

Often refers to the highest level of education that a person has successfully completed. The level of education is based on the certificate, diploma or degree obtained, and the number of years of schooling.

Examples

• less than high school
• high school diploma
• post-secondary education
• trade school

Definition

The Canadian Armed Forces are divided into Force Generators and Force Employers. Oversight and command of these elements is provided by the Chief of the Defence Staff and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, supported by the Strategic Joint Staff and Judge Advocate General.

Force generators ‘own’ the soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen of the Canadian Armed Forces. They are responsible for their training, career progression, welfare and are the subject matter experts within their environments. Force Generators include both Regular Force and Primary Reserve units.

Force Employers are assigned personnel from the Force Generators to perform specific missions and operations. They employ the Force Generators’ personnel to achieve the mission objectives. Force Employers are responsible for the planning and conduct of operations, as directed by the Chief of the Defence Staff, to meet Government of Canada requirements.

Examples

The Force Generators within the Canadian Armed Forces are:

• Royal Canadian Navy
• Canadian Army
• Royal Canadian Air Force
• Chief Military Personnel
• Assistant Deputy Minister (Information Management) (for cyber capabilities)
• Canadian Forces Intelligence Command

The Force Employers within the Canadian Armed Forces are:

• Canadian Joint Operations Command
• Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
• North American Aerospace Defence Command

Definition

Ethnicity is the shared cultural, linguistic, or religious characteristics of a group of people having a common history, heritage, or ancestry.

A group of people that have this shared history and culture is referred to as an “ethnic group.” Please note that the use of ethnic group is preferred to the use of “race.” even though both terms have been used to mean the same thing (see the Definition for race below).

Ethnic origin refers to a person's ancestral origin. In Canada, the term "ethnic origin" in this sense is used in statistics to gather information about cultural communities and develop government programs, policies, services, or other initiatives. A person’s declared ethnic origin can vary depending on their knowledge of their family background and how long ago their ancestors immigrated.

Examples

A person can have more than one ethnicity or ethnic origin. Examples include Canadian, Scottish, German, Haitian, Chinese, Pakistani, Somalian, Egyptian, Brazilian, Ukrainian, and South African.

Definition

Family status refers to whether the person is a member of a census family and, if so, his or her status in that census family, either as a member of a couple, as a parent in a one-parent family or as a child. Family-related characteristics and concepts can apply to families, individuals (those in families or not) or households.

Two definitions of families exist, and they complement each other:

• the census family – a narrow concept, defined by couples living together, with or without children, and parents living in a one-parent family with their children
• the economic family – a broader concept, referring to two or more persons living together who are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law union, adoption, or a foster relationship

All persons in a census family are part of one economic family.

Examples

• single (never married)
• married or common-law
• one-parent families
• divorced
• separated
• widowed

Definition

The behavioural, cultural, and psychological traits associated with an array of gender identities in each society.

Gender influences how people perceive themselves and each other. It refers not only to physical, psychological, behavioural, and other differences, but also to the meanings and values society associates with male and female, that is, the idea that people have specific social roles and skills because of their sex.

While sex refers to a set of anatomical and physiological characteristics (see the Definition for sex below), gender refers to a social construct (see the Definition for social construct below). Gender goes beyond the traditionally understood binary concept that there are only two genders (male, female) and that a person's sex assigned at birth aligns with their gender identity.

Cisgender includes persons who have reported that their sex assigned at birth is the same as their current gender. Transgender includes persons whose sex assigned at birth was reported as female and whose current gender was reported as other than female; or persons whose sex assigned at birth was reported as male and whose current gender was reported as other than male. It also includes persons who were reported as being unsure of their gender or persons who were reported as both male and female, bi-gender, or neither male nor female (non-binary).

Examples

• Cis- and transwomen
• Cis- and transmen
• gender diverse

Definition

Immigrant refers to a person who is, or who has ever been, a landed immigrant or permanent resident. Such a person has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this group.

Examples

• permanent residents
• economic immigrants
• family sponsorship
• landed immigrants
• Canadian citizens by naturalization

Persons who do not have citizenship and who are not landed immigrants or permanent residents are “non-permanent residents.”

Persons who have work or study or temporary resident permits, or who have claimed refugee status (asylum claimants) are “non-permanent residents.”

A refugee claimant whose application has been approved by the Immigration and Refugee Board will receive a “protected person” status and can apply to become a permanent resident.

Definition

A person who belongs to one of the three Indigenous Peoples in Canada, namely, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.

Some Indigenous persons in Canada may choose to refer to themselves as "a Native person" or "a Native"; however, the use of these terms by non-Indigenous people is seen as derogatory. The term "Aboriginal" used as a noun can be offensive and should be avoided.

Examples

• First Nations
• Inuit
• Métis

Definition

Human communication consisting of words used in a structured and conventional way and expressed by speech, writing, or gesture.

Mother tongue refers to the language people learned in childhood and still understand today. If the person no longer understands the first language learned, the mother tongue is the second language learned.

Examples

• French
• English

One in four Canadians in 2021—or 9 million people—had a mother tongue other than English or French.

Definition

The geographical area in which a person is living, whether that is short-term (such as a deployment) or long-term.

Examples

• workplace
• residence

Definition

A person's regular work or profession; job or principal activity.

Examples

• janitor
• nurse
• lawyer
• teacher

Definition

A group of people who are arbitrarily categorized according to common physical characteristics, regardless of language, culture, or nationality.

The concept of race has long since been used to establish differences between groups of people, often according to a hierarchy. It focuses on identifiable physical characteristics, such as skin colour, hair texture and facial features.

Although there is no scientific basis for the concept of race, race is socially constructed and has real consequences and impacts on people’s lives. Therefore, refusing to talk about race could imply that racism and its consequences do not exist, and can contribute to continued inequalities and negative impacts.

Examples

• White
• Black
• African American
• Asian
• Pacific Islander

Definition

Ranks in the Canadian Forces mark a person's position in its hierarchical structure. As people gain more responsibility and authority, they earn promotions in rank.

The formal rank structure within the Forces is essential for:

• passing orders in operations
• ensuring clarity of command
• maintaining order and discipline

Examples

• Private
• Master Warrant Officer
• Sailor 1^st Class
• Corporal
• Sub-Lieutenant

Definition

Religion is human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of special reverence. It also relates to traditions, artefacts or icons, and rituals, including rituals surrounding births and deaths.

Religious freedom in Canada means that there are no state-sponsored religions, and that the government cannot prefer some religious beliefs or groups over others.

Examples

• Buddhism
• Christianity
• Hinduism
• Islam
• Judaism
• Sikhism

Definition

A person's own assertion of belonging to a certain group or category of people.

Examples

A person can self-identify using a number of Examples of social identity factors listed in this lexicon.

Definition

A defined set of anatomical and physiological characteristics, including chromosomes, gene expression, hormones, and reproductive or sexual anatomy.

While sex refers to a set of anatomical and physiological characteristics, gender refers to a social construct (see Definition of gender above). For some people, sex is not static and can change during a person's life.

Examples

• female
• male
• intersex

Definition

The physical or emotional attraction to people based on their sex, gender identity or gender expression.

Sexual orientation is not a choice, but a fundamental part of a person's identity. It may change over time.

Examples

A person may identify as lesbian, gay, heterosexual, bisexual, queer, pansexual, or asexual, among others.

Definition

A social construct is an idea that has been created and accepted by the people in a society, that often categorizes and gives meaning.

Social constructs change according to place and time. It is not an intrinsic characteristic. In other words, it is not developed naturally or genetically; rather it is taught and learned.

Examples

• race
• gender
• beauty standards
• masculinity
• femininity
• class

Definition

Socio-economic status (otherwise known as SES) refers to an individual’s level of income, wealth, education, and prestige.

It is way of describing people based on their education, income, and type of job. It refers to the social standing or class of an individual or group such as a family unit.

Examples

• higher class
• middle class
• lower class

Definition

A preconceived judgment that is held by a person and that influences their perception of or their behaviour towards another person or group of people.

Definition

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of a person or group of people that deprives them of or limits their access to opportunities and advantages that are available to other members of society.

An action or a decision that treats a person or a group badly for reasons such as their race, age or disability, or other category protected in Human Rights legislation, either through deliberate intention or unintentionally through its impact.

Definition

The socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes considered appropriate for each gender.

Definition

Group membership is related to social identity factors such as being a part of a work unit or a family unit, a community, a network, or a peer group. They can be formal or informal, and often includes social norms and expectations, as well as social hierarchies between and within groups and individuals.

Definition

The ability or authority of institutions or organizations such as departments or governments to decide what is best for people. This includes decisions, policies, and legislation as to who will have access to resources or not, and what is allowed, accepted, or is considered the norm.

Definition

A comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority).

A comment or action that is regarded as subtly expressing prejudice against a person or group of people.

Microaggressions are generally indirect and can be unintentional. Members of marginalized or minority groups are often the subjects of microaggressions.

Definition

The act of subjecting a person or group of people to undue authority in an unjust or cruel manner.

The systematic subjugation of one social group by a more powerful social group for the social, economic, and political benefit of the more powerful social groups.

Definition

The combination of an individual's or a social group's agency and access (actual or perceived) to influence an outcome, decision or relationship. Power creates asymmetry in relationships between people and groups and can be used both positively and negatively.

Definition

Power dynamics refer to the inherent structures and influences of power that exist between individuals and groups within a given context. The possession of power can come from a variety of sources - from formal structures like hierarchies and job titles to less tangible aspects like knowledge, charisma, and social capital.

Power dynamics can either negatively or positively affect human rights, participation in decision making, access and control over land and resources, as well as opportunities for all people.

Definition

Negative or false prejudgment or preconceived feelings or notions about another person or group of persons based on perceived characteristics often in the absence of personal experience, legitimate or sufficient evidence. Racial prejudice refers to a set of discriminatory or derogatory attitudes based on assumptions deriving from perceptions about race and/or skin colour.

Definition

The advantages enjoyed by a person or group of people as a result of their membership in a given social group or category.

Unearned power, benefits, advantages, access and/or opportunities based on membership or perceived membership in a dominant group.

Definition

A personal pronoun that a person uses to refer to themselves and that matches their gender. It can also be referred to as “gender pronoun” and “preferred pronoun”.

Most non-binary people use the terms "pronoun" or "gender pronoun" instead of the term "preferred pronoun" because the latter implies that gender is a matter of choice.

Definition

Systems of social organization in which individuals are arranged by group status and have differential access to social and material resources.

Social hierarchies are broadly defined as systems of social organization in which some individuals enjoy a higher social status than others – specifically, in which people are stratified by their group membership. In socially stratified societies, high-status groups are afforded greater access to material and social resources relative to low-status groups, leading to differential opportunities and outcomes.

Definition

Social norms are widely held expectations about what is, and is not, acceptable or appropriate behaviour in a particular setting or situation. Such norms are unspoken rules about how to behave. They can be well entrenched but also may change of time, in some cases as a result of intentional efforts. Social norms play a key role in the dynamics of racism and prejudice because they reflect powerful boundaries defining how people act toward others who they see as different.

Definition

The attribution of a predominant characteristic of a group to an individual in the group without recognition of the reality of individual variation within a group.

Incorrect assumption based on things like race, colour, ethnic origin, place of origin, religion, etc. Stereotyping typically involves attributing the same characteristics to all members of a group regardless of their individual differences. It is often based on misconceptions, incomplete information and/or false generalizations.

Definition

Systems of power include prejudice and discrimination often associated with social identity factors. Systems of power are the beliefs, practices, and social and cultural norms that shape people's lives. Systems of power can sometimes unfairly assign who has power and who does not based on social identity factors, directly or indirectly.

Definition

Social identity factors are the various characteristics that make up every individual such as age, gender, and language. In the context of DND/CAF, this includes rank or occupation, to name a few.

Examples

• Indigeneity
• gender: women, men, and gender-diverse
• rank
• sexual orientation
• age
• disability
• socio-economic status
• ethnicity/race
• citizenship/immigration
• religion

Definition

Group membership is related to social identity factors such as being a part of a work unit or a family unit, a community, a network, or a peer group. They can be formal or informal, have its own hierarchy or ranking order, and expected behaviours known as ‘social norms’.

Examples

• ship’s company
• occupational group
• class serial
• a mess
• sports team
• a base

Definition

The ability or authority of institutions or organizations such as departments or governments to decide what is best for people. This includes decisions, policies, and legislation as to who will have access to resources or not, and what is allowed, accepted, or is considered the norm.

Examples

• DND/CAF Code of Values and Ethics
• Defence Administrative Orders and Directives (DAOD)
• Collective Agreement

Definition

Systems of power include prejudice and discrimination often associated with social identity factors. Systems of power are the beliefs, practices, and social and cultural norms that shape people's lives. Systems of power can sometimes unfairly assign who has power and who does not based on social identity factors, directly or indirectly.

Examples

• harassment
• racism
• ageism
• homophobia