MOTHER´S WORK MATTERS
mowom Dictionary
What is true equality? And what about the glass ceiling or the gender pay gap? Many terms help us name and understand the inequality that, even in societies that consider themselves equal, women still face. To make sure you don’t get lost, we’re gathering them all in our mowom Dictionary.
A
-
--
B
-
--
-
--
C
Glass CEILING
An invisible and unofficial barrier that prevents women from advancing in their careers and reaching leadership positions, even when they have the skills and merits required. It reflects the biases and structures that limit their professional growth.
Glass CLIFF
A phenomenon where women are more likely to be appointed to leadership positions during times of crisis or high uncertainty, when the risk of failure is greater. This means they are given responsibility in precarious situations, increasing the chances of being blamed if things go wrong.
CO-RESPONSIBILITY
The fair distribution of domestic, family and work responsibilities among all people, regardless of gender. At mowom, co-responsibility is the path to fairer relationships and a society where women are no longer left to carry the invisible burden of care.
D
The male DEFICIT
One in three women with education and egalitarian values cannot find a male partner with the same characteristics.
Maike van Damme – Sociologist at the Institute for Demographic Studies
-
--
E
EQUITY
Adapting resources, opportunities, and strategies to each person’s needs to ensure true equality. Equity recognises that we do not all start from the same place, and therefore seeks to compensate for inequalities so that everyone can exercise their rights on equal terms.
EQUALITY
The principle that women and men must have the same rights, opportunities, and responsibilities in all areas of life, without their gender determining their access to them. It does not mean they are identical, but that neither should face barriers due to their gender.
F
FEMINISM
Feminism is the social and political movement that advocates for equal rights and opportunities for women and men in all aspects of life.
Sticky FLOOR
A set of obstacles and responsibilities in the private sphere that limit women’s professional development. It mainly refers to care duties and domestic work that prevent them from accessing better jobs or promotions.
G
Gender GAP
The difference between women and men in a specific variable, such as wages, access to education, leadership, or health. Identifying these gaps allows us to design policies and actions to reduce gender inequalities.
Unadjusted gender pay GAP
The difference in average earnings between women and men for their work. It reflects structural inequalities in the labour market and is calculated by comparing the mean income of both genders, without adjusting for job type or working hours.
-
--
I
Gender EQUALITY
Principio según el cual mujeres y hombres deben tener los mismos derechos, oportunidades y responsabilidades en todos los ámbitos de la vida, sin que su género determine su acceso a ellos. No significa que sean idénticos, sino que ninguno enfrente barreras por su condición de género.
Formal EQUALITY
Principle according to which the law recognizes the same rights and duties for all people, regardless of gender. However, although equality is enshrined in law, it does not always translate into effective equality in everyday life.
Real EQUALITY
​A situation in which women and men not only have the same rights on paper but also the real conditions and opportunities to exercise them fully. Achieving substantive equality requires active measures to remove structural barriers and ensure that no one is disadvantaged because of their gender.
K
-
--
L
-
--
M
-
--
S
Horizontal SEGREGATION
The concentration of women and men in different employment sectors. It refers to the division of the labour market into “feminised” occupations (such as education, care, or cleaning) and “masculinised” occupations (such as technology, construction, or engineering).
Vertical SEGREGATION
When women and men hold different hierarchical positions within the same sector or profession. Men are usually in higher, better-paid roles, while women are concentrated in lower-level positions.
-
--
T
-
--
V
-
--
W
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
A set of measures, choices and supports that enable a person to balance work, family and personal life without having to give up any of them. At mowom, we understand reconciliation as a right, not a privilege—and as a key part of both well-being and equality.