Languages are alive and constantly changing to adapt to the new reality. Many global organizations are working to promote gender equality and inclusion for all people, and the way we communicate and the words the community uses are also changing.
Communication shapes perceptions of the roles that women and men have in society and in the labor market. Using inclusive and accessible language demonstrates respect for people and promotes equality in communication.
Sensitive language
Using gender-sensitive language is one way to promote gender equality, break down gender stereotypes and barriers, and change social and cultural attitudes.
Gender-sensitive language is speaking and writing in a way that does not discriminate against a particular gender or perpetuate gender stereotypes. Another example is avoiding the use of language that refers explicitly or implicitly to only one gender. It may also be referred to as “gender-neutral,” “gender-inclusive,” “gender-sensitive,” or “non-sexist language.”
Stereotypical statements
When a person writes or talks about women or men in a certain way, they could take a simple test to see if the language they are using is sexist or gender neutral. If what is said to a woman sounds strange or unnatural when the same applies to a man, it is likely that the statement is based on a gender stereotype. Examples of this are calling a certain job “masculine” or “feminine”, statements about “feminine intuition” or that “he doesn’t cry because he’s a man”. “Girl” should not be used to refer to an older woman, as it indicates infantility.
Another everyday example is “The husband helps his wife with the household chores”, instead of “The husband and the wife share the household chores”. Research shows that men are willing to take on more responsibilities related to the care of children and elderly loved ones, as well as household tasks, but this type of communication and ingrained social expectations and lack of support discourage them from doing so.
If it is appropriate for the communication to make the gender visible, both feminine and masculine reference words may be used. An example of this is using he/she or him/her in such a sentence.
