Context: 

Recently, the Supreme Court of India has launched a 30-page handbook that contains a glossary of gender unjust terms and suggests alternative words and phrases which may be used to reduce inequalities. 

Glossary of Words:

Need of such a Handbook: 

• To Counter Stereotypes: 
  • Stereotypes, a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong leads to exclusion and discrimination.
  • It identifies common presumptions about the way sexual harassment, assault, rape and other violent crimes are viewed, against women.
• To Counter Serious Challenges:  
  • Courts should take social realities and other challenges facing women seriously.
  • It is wrong to assume women are overly emotional, illogical, and cannot take decisions. 
• To Increase the Pace of Adopt:
  • In a largely patriarchal society, girls are often forced to pick marriage as a way out to avoid social stigma, and not education and a career. 
  • Even if things are changing, the pace is slow. 

Need to Use of Right Words:

• Reflection of the Perception of Society: The language a judge uses reflects not only their interpretation of the law, but their perception of society as well.
• To maintain Constitutional Ethos: The use of stereotypes does not alter the outcome of a case but stereotypical language may reinforce ideas contrary to our constitutional ethos.
• Significance of Language: Language is critical to the life of the law. Words are the vehicle through which the values of the law are communicated.
  • Words transmit the ultimate intention of the lawmaker or the judge to the nation.

Conclusion:

To achieve gender equality, fundamental changes need to be made to counter all stereotypes. The handbook may be a guide for judges and lawyers, but it could also be a catalyst for change right down to the societal level.

News Source: The Hindu

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