Training Manual on Gender Sensitivity and CEDAW

Unit Two: Gender-Fair Language
Joey:
Mother:
How many times has Inay told you that boys don’t do house work It’s a
girl thing.
That is right. Go, Cecille, please do what I ask of you because it is the
responsibility of the female to take care of the house.
In the scenario, we are able to see how Joey has already absorbed the cultural assumptions
and biases underlying language. As a young boy he sees them as an index to society’s
values and attitudes. This may have a powerful effect on Joey’s later behavior and beliefs.
Topic 2: Importance of Gender-Fair Language
This discussion illustrates why sexism in language is considered a stumbling block to
gender-sensitization, and why there should be real concern about the use of ‘mere’ words.
1. Language that uses the generic masculine - excludes women and renders them
invisible.
Case 1:
Subsuming all humanity in terms such as man, father, brother, master.
The use of the singular masculine pronouns = he, his, him.
Example of sexist language:
An Employee should wear his ID at all times.
Example of gender-fair language:
Employees should wear their ID at all times.
Case 2:
Terms ending in “man” but referring to functions that may be performed by
individuals of either sex.
Example:
In the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary, we
practice gender fair language. Justice Austria-Martinez is the
Chairperson, not Chairwoman, while Justice Azcuna is referred to as
the Co-Chairperson and not the Co-Chairman.
Case 3:
Terms used as though they apply to adult males only, or are appropriated to
a particular sex.
Example:
Settlers moved west, taking their wives and children with them.
Alternative:
Use “families” for “wives and children”
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