The Supreme Court of India has unveiled a pioneering "Handbook on combating Gender Stereotypes," aimed at eradicating the usage of gender-biased language in judgments and legal communication. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud introduced the handbook, intended to empower judges and the legal community to identify, challenge, and rectify stereotypes associated with women in legal discussions.

The comprehensive resource offers a glossary of gender-charged terms and suggests alternative phrasing to be employed in legal documents, orders, and judgments, catering to lawyers and judges alike. The guide also critically examines prevalent stereotypes about women, illustrating their inaccuracies and potential distortions in legal interpretation.

CJI Chandrachud clarified that the handbook's purpose is not to criticize past judgments, but rather to raise awareness about inadvertent stereotype perpetuation. The handbook equips judges with tools to counter stereotypes by identifying biased language and suggesting alternatives, identifying common gender-biased reasoning patterns, and showcasing Supreme Court precedents that have rejected such stereotypes.

Chief Justice Chandrachud noted that the handbook's inception had been in progress, and its development involved a committee led by Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya of the Calcutta High Court. The committee included esteemed figures such as Justice Prathiba M. Singh of the Delhi High Court, former judges Prabha Sridevan and Gita Mittal, and Jhuma Sen, an advocate in the Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court, also affiliated with the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences.

The handbook, expected to be accessible on the Supreme Court's official website imminently, is poised to be a pivotal tool in promoting gender-sensitive language within the legal sphere, fostering a fairer and more equitable judicial system.