In a major initiative to fight against Gender Stereotypes in legal proceedings, the Supreme Court on Wednesday introduced a handbook that lists words and phrases associated with gender stereotypes. The handbook cautions judges against using them in court orders. 

During the launch of the Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud mentioned multiple offensive words that have been used for women in the past judgements. He noted that those words are improper and have been used for women in court judgements. He further clarified that this handbook’s objective is not to criticise those judgements or doubt them but it is just to emphasize how gender stereotypes are perpetuated inadvertently. 

The Chief Justice of India announced that the handbook will be uploaded on the Supreme Court’s website. He noted that the major objective of this handbook is to define these stereotypes and spread awareness among them. He added that this handbook will help judges identify words that are stereotypical towards women. At a public event held in March, CJI DY Chandrachud affirmed that a handbook to flag gender stereotypes was in the works. 

Elaborating on the reasons for preparing the handbook, CJI DY Chandrachud recalled that he has come across judgements which have referred to a woman as a ‘concubine’ when she is in a relationship. He added that women have been called ‘keeps’ in judgements when there were applications for quashing FIRs under the Domestic Violence Act and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. 

According to reports, the handbook to bust gender stereotypes is another progressive move undertaken by the Supreme Court during the tenure of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. The Supreme Court earlier decided to translate its judgements into regional languages in an effort to make them more accessible. The decision earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech at Red Fort. Reportedly, the apex court has uploaded 9,423 of its verdict in regional languages as yet.

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