[P-T]
Persecution

To treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a period of time.

PMTCT

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Without prevention measures, about 35 per cent of children born to HIV-positive women will contract the virus.

Polio

A disease caused by a virus. Polio can damage the nervous system and cause paralysis (inability to move), particularly in the legs. Polio is mainly spread through human faeces. There is no cure, but there is a vaccine.

Poverty

Having little or no money and few or no material possessions.

Prevalent

Existing very commonly or happening frequently.

Protective environment

An environment in which children’s rights are respected so that they can grow up in safety and dignity, able to develop to their full capacity.

Ratify

To agree in writing to an agreement; often used when agreeing a Convention.

Refuge

A place which gives protection or shelter from danger, trouble, unhappiness etc. A safe place.

Reservation

Not being able to agree with or accept something completely.

Safe water

Water that is free of contaminants. It often comes from improved water sources.

Sanction

A punishment to make someone or a group of people do what others want them to do.

Sanitation

The systems to promote good health, especially for taking dirty water and other waste products away from buildings in order to protect people’s health.

Sexually transmitted infection

A sexually transmitted infection (abbreviation STI) is one which people become infected with during sexual activity. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection.

Smuggling

The illegal and secret transport of something. Smuggling people to exploit them is called “trafficking”.

Sustainable livelihood

The capacity to make a living that adequately provides a safe environment, housing, clean water and sufficient food. Sustainable livelihoods are those that can recover from disaster or shock, maintain quality of life over time and provide lasting opportunities for the future.

Sweatshop

A term for a workplace – normally a factory – where workers suffer from poor wages and working conditions.

Tariffs

A system of duties (e.g. taxes or charges) imposed by a government on imported or exported goods.

Trade Justice

A movement in favour of protecting developing countries’ farmers from unfair economic conditions imposed by trade policies.

Trade barrier

Any regulation that restricts the flow of international trade.

Trafficking

Trafficking is when children and young people are taken by adults to different countries and are tricked or forced into doing something they do not agree to.

Transparency

The full, accurate, and timely disclosure of information.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A potentially fatal disease that usually attacks the lungs. Tuberculosis bacteria are spread from person to person through the air when the infected person coughs or spits. There are medications for treating TB, but TB bacteria have developed immunity to many of them.