No more 'Adulteress', 'Whore' 'Fallen Woman'; SC handbook takes on gender stereotypes

The Supreme Court on Wednesday launched a handbook aimed at tackling gender stereotypes. This handbook is intended to provide judges with guidance on refraining from using inappropriate gender terminology in court orders and legal discourse.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that the book helps judges identify and avoid such stereotypes by first-identifying language which promotes gender stereotypes and offering alternative words and phrases, CJI said.

He further said, "This is to assist judges and the legal community to identify, understand, and combat stereotypes about women in legal discourse. It contains a glossary of gender unjust terms and suggests alternative words and phrases which may be used while drafting pleadings as well as orders and judgements. It is for lawyers as well as judges."

The manual highlights prevalent stereotypes about women, many of which have been previously used by courts. It elucidates the reasons behind their inaccuracy and illustrates how they can potentially skew the proper application of the law, Chief Justice Chandrachud stated.

"The intention is not to criticise or cast doubts on judgements but merely to show how stereotypes may unwittingly be employed. To raise awareness against the utilisation of harmful stereotypes, particularly those against women, the handbook aims to explain what stereotypes are", CJI added.

Check Out The List Of Glossary Of Gender Unjust Terms and Its Alternative Terms:

Adulteress: Woman who has engaged in sexual relations outside of marriage.
Affair: Relationship outside of marriage
Bastard: Non-marital child or, a child whose parents were not married.
Biological sex / biological male / biological female: Sex assigned at birth.
Career woman: Woman
Carnal intercourse: Sexual intercourse
Chaste woman: Woman
Child prostitute: Child who has been trafficked
Concubine / keep: Woman with whom a man has had romantic or sexual relations outside of marriage.
Dutiful wife / Faithful wife / Good wife / Obedient wife: Wife
Easy virtue (e.g., a woman of easy virtue): Woman
Effeminate (when used pejoratively): Accurately describe the characteristic using a gender neutral term (e.g., confident or responsible)
Eve teasing: Street sexual harassment
Faggot: Accurately describe the individual's sexual orientation (e.g., homosexual or bisexual)
Fallen woman: Woman
Feminine hygiene products: Menstrual products
Forcible rape: Rape
Harlot: Woman
Hermaphrodite: Intersex
Hooker: Sex worker
Hormonal (to describe a woman's emotional state): Use a gender neutral term to describe the emotion (e.g., compassionate or enthusiastic)
Housewife: Homemaker
Indian woman / western woman: Woman
Ladylike: Use a gender neutral description of behaviour or characteristics (e.g., amusing or assertive)
Layabout / Shirker: Unemployed
Marriageable: age A woman who has attained the legal age required to marry.
Mistress: Woman with whom a man has had romantic or sexual relations outside of marriage.
Prostitute: Sex worker
Provider / Breadwinner: Employed or earning
Provocative clothing / dress: Clothing / dress
Ravished (e.g., she was "ravished" by him): Sexually harassed / assaulted or raped
Seductress: Woman
Sex change: Sex reassignment or gender transition
Slut: Woman
Spinster: Unmarried woman
Survivor or Victim?: An individual who has been affected by sexual violence may identify themselves as either a "survivor" or "victim". Both terms are applicable unless the individual has expressed a preference, in which case the individual's preference should be respected.
Transsexual: Transgender
Transvestite: Cross-dresser
Unwed Mother: Mother
Violated (e.g., he violated her): Sexually harassed / assaulted or raped
Whore: Woman
Woman of loose morals / easy virtue / promiscuous woman / wanton woman : Woman