Safety Nets
Mechanisms put in place to protect the poor and vulnerable from falling deeper into poverty. They can be in the form of cash, food, access to health care services or education depending on the specific context and the need in each country.
Safer sex
It is better to use the term ‘safer sex' because ‘safe sex' may imply complete safety. The term ‘safer sex' more accurately reflects the idea that choices can be made and behaviours adopted to reduce or minimise the risk of HIV transmission (and other STIs) and unintended pregnancy. Safer sex strategies include postponing sexual debut, non-penetrative sex, correct and consistent use of male or female condoms, and reducing the number of sexual partners.
Sex education
Preferred use: Comprehensive Sexuality Education. The basic education about reproductive processes, puberty, sexual behaviour, etc. Sex education may include other information, for example about contraception, protection from sexually transmitted infections and parenthood.
Sex ratio
The ratio of males to females in the population, usually expressed as the number of males per 100 females. This can be calculated for all age groups but the one most usually quoted is the sex ratio at birth (SRB).
Sex Worker
Sex workers include "female, male and transgender adults and young people (18 years of age and above) who receive money or goods in exchange for sexual services, either regularly or occasionally"(UNAIDS, 2012). This definition includes people who sell sex but who do not self-identify as a sex worker, as well as those who do self-identify. The term ‘sex worker' is intended to be non-judgemental and focuses on the working conditions under which sexual services are sold. It is not sexual violence nor sexual exploitation. Sex work is consensual sex between adults, which takes many forms, and varies between and within countries and communities. Sex work may vary in the degree to which it is formal or organized. Children selling sex under the age of 18 are considered to be victims of commercial sexual exploitation, unless otherwise determined.
Sexual and reproductive health services
The constellation of methods, techniques and services that contribute to reproductive health and well-being through preventing and solving reproductive health problems. It also includes sexual health.
Sexual health
The notion of sexual health implies a positive approach to human sexuality and the purpose of sexual health care should be the enhancement of life and personal relations and not merely counselling and care related to reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases.
Sexual intercourse
Penetrative sexual behaviours, including oral, anal and penile-vaginal sex.
Sexual orientation
The primary sexual attraction to the same, opposite or both sexes.
Sexual Rights
Sexual Rights embrace human rights that are already recognized in national laws, international human rights documents and other consensus statements. They include the right of all persons, free of coercion, discrimination and violence, to the highest attainable standard of sexual health, including access to sexual and reproductive health care services; to seek, receive and impart information related to sexuality; to sexuality education; to respect for bodily integrity; to choose their partner; to decide to be sexually active or not; to consensual sexual relations; to consensual marriage; to decide whether or not, and when, to have children; and to pursue a satisfying, safe and pleasurable sexual life.
Sexuality
The sexual knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, values, and behaviours of individuals. Its dimensions include the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the sexual response system; identity, orientation, roles and personality; and thoughts, feelings, and relationships.
Sex Worker
Sex workers include "female, male and transgender adults and young people (18 years of age and above) who receive money or goods in exchange for sexual services, either regularly or occasionally" (UNAIDS, 2012). This definition includes people who sell sex but who do not self-identify as a sex worker, as well as those who do self-identify. The term ‘sex worker' is intended to be non-judgemental and focuses on the working conditions under which sexual services are sold. It is not sexual violence nor sexual exploitation. Sex work is consensual sex between adults, which takes many forms, and varies between and within countries and communities. Sex work may vary in the degree to which it is formal or organized. Children selling sex under the age of 18 are considered to be victims of commercial sexual exploitation, unless otherwise determined.
Skilled attendance (or skilled care)
A skilled attendant operating within an enabling environment or health system capable of providing care for normal deliveries as well as appropriate emergency obstetric care for all women who develop complications during childbirth.
Skilled birth attendant (SBA)
A medically qualified provider with midwifery skills (midwife, nurse or doctor) who has been trained to proficiency in the skills necessary to manage normal deliveries and diagnose, manage, or refer obstetric complications. Ideally, skilled attendants live in, and are part of, the community they serve. They must be able to manage normal labour and delivery, perform essential interventions, start treatment and supervise the referral of mother and baby for interventions that are beyond their competence or not possible in a particular setting.
Spermicides
The chemical contraceptive that inactivates and kills sperm. Spermicides are more effective when used in conjunction with other contraceptives such as condoms or diaphragms.
SRHR
Sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Stable population
A population that is closed to migration and has maintained the same fertility and mortality levels over a long time, so that it maintains a constant level of growth and a constant age structure.
Stationary population
A stable population in which fertility and mortality are in equilibrium, so that overall growth is zero.
STD
Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is the disease(s) resulting from bacteria or viruses and often acquired through sexual contact. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also be acquired in other ways (i.e. blood transfusions, intravenous drug use, mother-to-child transmission). The preferred language is Sexually Transmitted infection, to avoid the stigma often associated with disease.
STI
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) is the term that is slowly replacing 'STD' (sexually transmitted disease) in order to include HIV infection. Most STIs, like HIV, are not acquired from partners who are obviously ill, but rather through exposure to infections that are asymptomatic or unnoticeable at the time of transmission.
Sterilization
The surgical contraception procedure which blocks either the sperm ducts (the vasa deferentia) or the oviducts (fallopian or uterine tubes) to prevent the sperm and ovum from uniting.
Stillbirth
The death of a foetus in late pregnancy. At what gestational age (point in pregnancy) a miscarriage becomes a stillbirth for reporting purposes depends on individual country policies.
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present generation without impacting adversely on future requirements of subsequent generations.
SWAps
Sector-wide approaches (SWAps) are harmonized efforts under the leadership of countries, to realize sustained results through the use of national systems.
Sexual assault
If someone forces any form of sexual activity on someone else (kissing, fondling, touching, sexual intercourse, etc.) without that person's consent.
Sexual harassment
Unwelcome, uninvited remarks, gestures, or actions of a sexual nature that make a person feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
Sexual and reproductive health programmes and policies
Sexual and reproductive health programmes and policies include, but are not restricted to: services for family planning; infertility services; maternal and newborn health services; prevention of unsafe abortion and post-abortion care; prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV; diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV infection, reproductive tract infections, cervical cancer, and other gynaecological morbidities; promotion of sexual health, including sexuality counselling; and prevention and management of gender-based violence.
Sex work
The term ‘commercial sex work' says the same thing twice in different words. Preferred terms are ‘sex work', ‘commercial sex', or ‘the sale of sexual services'. It is also acceptable to say that sex workers are ‘paid for sex'.
Social Norm – as pertaining to FGM/C
A social norm is a rule of behavior which depends on mutual expectations of the relevant population. When it exists, individuals see that others conform to the rule. They feel a social obligation to conform to the rule and believe they will be subject to a form of social punishment if they do not. FGM/C is a self-enforcing social convention, a socially upheld behavioural rule. See FGM/C.
Stigma and discrimination
‘Stigma' is derived from the Greek meaning a mark or a stain. Stigma can be described as a dynamic process of devaluation that significantly discredits an individual in the eyes of others. Within particular cultures or settings, certain attributes are seized upon and defined by others as discreditable or unworthy. When stigma is acted upon, the result is discrimination that may take the form of actions or omissions. Discrimination refers to any form of arbitrary distinction, exclusion, or restriction affecting a person, usually but not only by virtue of an inherent personal characteristic or perceived belonging to a particular group irrespective of whether or not there is any justification for these measures. The term ‘stigmatisation and discrimination' has been accepted in everyday speech and writing and may be treated as plural.
Structural interventions
Structural interventions are those that seek to alter the physical and social environment in which individual behaviour takes place. Their aim can also be to remove barriers to protective action or to create constraints to risk-taking.
Sustainable development
Sustainable development has been defined in different ways by different groups and institutions. Today, it is commonly accepted that sustainable development entails the promotion of social and economic development, without excessive harm to the natural environment. The balance between social, economic and environmental objectives is essetial to ensure that development benefits not only the current, but also the future generations. This definition corresponds with the definition of sustainable development used in the ICPD Programme of Action. See post-2015 development agenda, sustainable development goals (SDGs), ICPD.
Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
The outcome document of the Rio+20 conference (see above) called for the establishment of the Open Working Group – a group of governments – to table a proposal for sustainable development goals. The sustainable development goals will shape the post-2015 development agenda and are expected to succeed the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Sustainable development goals are expected to encourage progress in not only in the environmental area,s but also the social and economic areas and to promote sustainable development. See MDGs, Rio+20, post-2015 development agenda.
Symptothermal method (STM)
This combines various natural family planning techniques, especially cervical mucus changes, the calendar method and BBT. The use of multiple techniques is more accurate than a single technique for identifying the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle, while the days of required abstinence can be kept to a minimum. All these methods of detecting the fertile phase are also helpful for couples who wish to use barrier methods on those days estimated to be fertile, and for couples who are trying to improve their chances of conception.
