UNESCO attempts to set the record straight in history

While social scientists welcome the trend in using `gender-equal’ terms, there is a level of doubt as to whether ground realities will change.

Some social activists believe adopting a `gender-neutral language’ is the best way to eliminate gender bias and change biased ideologies. Others say the use of `correct’ language has no bearing on a person’s thought process and these terms have validity only on paper.

"Though times have changed, giving more rights to women in the work place as they take up more and more challenging professions, language hasnot kept pace and has remained unfair,” says Latika Padgaonkar, National Information Officer, United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which has brought out a booklet on gender-neutral guidelines to eliminate gender bias.

"We are still using archaic terms like cameraman, craftsman or chairman while we can easily replace them with friendly alternatives like camera operator, chairperson and so on, says Padgaonkar.

Even before a child has understood the meaning of camera or fire-fighter, he is conditioned to believe that only a man can become a photographer or a craftsperson, which is ridiculous. The use of gender-neutral language opens up possibilities that work in all spheres can be done by both sexes, says Padgaonkar.

Agrees Dr Madhumita Sircar, a gender trainer at the Gender Training Institute: "When I use a neutral label, I am looking at the the use of the label and not the person adorning it, thus when I call someone a chairperson, I am opening up possibilites thattommorrow, a woman could occupy the position.”

But writer Khushwant Singh says that "to imagine that a change in vocabulary can lead to any kind of attitudinal change is ridiculous.”

He adds, "I am all for the women’s liberation movement but I think these so- called gender friendly terminologies are only a new fad which will soon lose its charm.”

"At a time when bias has crept in language not only in terms of gender but also disability and class, we should understand that language has a deep impact on the socialisation process. Thus, the use of correct language will lead to a change, but it will be gradual,” says social activist Akhila Shivdasa of the Media Advocacy Group.

Gender-neutral language is only an alternative to help get rid of the inherent prejudices and as a start, it is important to sell the spirit behind the language, says Shivdasa.

However, Geeta Ramakrishnan of Women’s Struggle Committee, Chennai, who is working for the uplift of Dalit women says, "These alternative terminologiesare only an elitist concept and are of no relevance to women at the grassroots level."

Language is a product of society, she argues, and the social fabric has to be transformed first. Women are often the target of abuse. Even when two men fight, they use a woman as a source of abuse.

Singh observes that these terminologies will remain only on paper and have no practical application.

But activists contend that the use of gender-friendly alternatives have nothing to do with feminism and is only an effort to change mindsets in a subtle manner.

"The idea is only to get rid of archaic expressions and their use should not be viewed as a conspiracy of feminism. It is only a plea for using an inclusive expression,” says Shivdasa.

Gender-neutral language only aims at opening up greater possibilities for change and we should not be inflexible about it, says Padgaonkar.

"I admit certain expressions will never change terms like `man and wife’ for `husband and wife’. But we can make a start, and that too, ina flexible manner, giving the man his due where warranted”, she says.