What is gender discrimination? Gender discrimination: Being treated less favorably because of an individual’s gender. According to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the term “discrimination against women” shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. Gender discrimination may likewise be understood to refer to any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the enjoyment of rights, on a basis of equality of men and women, and irrespective of marital status. While most gender-discriminatory provisions in nationality laws and policies disadvantage women, such discrimination also harms, girls, boys, men and society as a whole. G E N D E R D I S C R I M I N AT I O N A N D C H I L D H O O D S TAT E L E S S N E S S 5