Supreme Court launches ‘Handbook On Combating Gender Stereotypes’

NEW DELHI:     

Judges in Indian courts have one more book to refer to before they pronounce their verdict on cases they have heard. To be politically correct, the Supreme Court in its latest handbook has red flagged 40-odd words to sensitise judges against inadvertently furthering gender biases by using stereotypical words in court judgments.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud launched the ‘Handbook On Combating Gender Stereotypes’ this morning. Flagging stereotypical words used in past court judgments, he said, “These words are improper and have been used for women in court judgments. This handbook’s objective is not to criticise those judgments or doubt them. This is just to underline how gender stereotypes are perpetuated inadvertently.”

Explaining how stereotypes may impact judicial decision-making, the handbook states, “Like any person, a judge may also unconsciously hold or rely on stereotypes. If a judge relies on preconceived assumptions about people or groups when deciding cases or writing judgements, the harm caused can be enormous.”

“Even when judges reach legally correct outcomes, the use of reasoning or language that promotes gender stereotypes undermines the unique characteristics, autonomy, and dignity of the individuals before the court,” it stated, adding, “The use of stereotypes by judges also has the effect of entrenching and perpetuating stereotypes, creating a vicious cycle of injustice.”

Listing several stereotypical words and their alternatives, the handbook stated that words such as “faggot” or “fallen woman” or “harlot” need to be done away with in court judgments. Instead, it said, judges should accurately describe the sexual orientation of the person concerned — homosexual or bisexual, use “woman” and avoid words such as “fallen woman” and “harlot”.