GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court has launched a handbook on combating gender stereotypes. Earlier, in March, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud emphasised on the need to introduce a glossary of inappropriate gender terms for better sensitisation among members of the legal fraternity.
This initiative is poised to reshape the discourse around gender identity and promote a more understanding and respectful society.
According to the official handbook, the usage of several words in the stereotype-promoting language and their alternative usage have been listed down to sensitise the legal fraternity.
Glossary of gender-appropriate terms in the newly-launched handbook by the Supreme Court on combating gender stereotypes#SupremeCourt #SupremeCourtofIndia #Gender pic.twitter.com/FXaC3FqwAp
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) August 16, 2023
A few words that have been changed are ‘affair’ which is to be now mentioned as ‘Relationship Outside Of Marriage’, ‘Housewife’ as ‘Homemaker’, ‘Prostitute’ as ‘Sex Worker’, and ‘Unwed Mother’ as ‘Mother’ among other words. The list of various terms has been provided for reference below.
The glossary within the handbook provides clear definitions and explanations of terms that accurately and respectfully describe a range of gender identities and expressions. The Supreme Court's initiative seeks to empower individuals with the knowledge and language necessary to engage in informed conversations about gender, thus challenging prevailing stereotypes that often perpetuate discrimination.
