Gender stereotype words will no longer be used in Supreme Court decisions and arguments. Supreme Court launches Gender Stereotypes Combat Handbook to crack down on derogatory words used for women.

In an event held in the Supreme Court on Women's Day on March 8, CJI DY Chandrachud had said that the use of objectionable words for women in legal matters would stop, a dictionary would also come soon.

Releasing the handbook on Wednesday, 16th August 2023, CJI Chandrachud said it would make it easier for judges and lawyers to understand which words are orthodox and how to avoid them.

What's in the Gender Stereotype Combat Handbook

CJI Chandrachud said that there is a list of objectionable words in this handbook and words and sentences to be used in its place have been given. They can be used in court for giving arguments, giving orders and preparing copies thereof. This handbook is for lawyers as well as for judges.

This handbook contains the words which have been used by the courts in the past. Why the words are wrong and how they can further distort the law is also explained.

Handbook made for awareness, not criticism - CJI

CJI Chandrachud said that the purpose of preparing this handbook is not to criticize or doubt any decision, but to tell how unknowingly the tradition of conservatism is going on. The purpose of the court is to explain what is stereotyping and what is the harm from it, so that the courts can avoid the use of objectionable language against women. It will soon be uploaded on the website of the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice told why the dictionary was needed

CJI said- I have seen such decisions in which a woman was written as a mistress when she was in a relationship with a man. There were many cases in which applications were made for quashing of FIRs under Domestic Violence Act and Section 498A of IPC, in their judgments women have been called thieves.

The purpose of compiling these words was not to humiliate any judge, but to facilitate solving the problem inside our minds which are suffering from prejudices. Unless we are open about these aspects, it will be difficult for us to grow as a society.

We need to ensure that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment of women. Even in his presence, things like using foul language and telling lewd jokes should end for him.

When I was an advocate, seniors sitting in a group made fun of the fees of a lady lawyer there, which was intolerable. Then no one had the courage to tell the senior that his language was wrong. But now we have come a long way.

People now feel that certain patterns of behavior such as physical activity, language, action based or representational cannot be tolerated. Especially in workplace.

The Calcutta High Court team prepared the terminology

The legal terminology mentioned by CJI Chandrachud has been prepared by a committee headed by Calcutta High Court Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya. The committee consisted of retired Justices Prabha Sridevan and Justice Gita Mittal and Professor Jhuma Sen, currently a faculty member at the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences in Kolkata.

The words are as under

Read/Download the Handbook