Gender Terminology Booklet

Overview The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is a Constitutional body established by the CGE Act 39 of 1996 to support democracy and promote gender equality. It has a Constitutional mandate to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality. Within this legislative mandate, Section 187 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides the CGE with the power to monitor, investigate, research, educate, lobby, advise and report on issues concerning gender equality. One of the strategic objectives of the CGE requires the promotion of respect and protection of gender equality by developing, conducting and managing public education and information programmes. It is for this reason that the institution has decided to produce a public education program that will indigenise and promote gender sensitive terminology. Gender terminologies booklet is an education resource created to mainstream and foster an inclusive language from a local and regional point of view. It is a resource that promotes language diversity whilst eliminating gender discrimination on how we should relate to each other. Language is a powerful tool in shaping perceptions, identities, and challenging stereotypes.

This language development resource is in line with the CGE’s Public Education function which seeks to educate, empower individuals, challenge harmful stereotypes, and foster a more inclusive society where language reflects the rights and realities of all, irrespective of one’s own sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions. It is through this booklet that gender terms are clustered in a manner that covers all thematic spheres of life, including the day-to-day use of gender related terms in three official indigenous languages mainly spoken in Limpopo province. The Commission is in the process of producing gender terminologies of the other indigenous languages such as Zulu, Setswana, Ndebele, SiSwati. CGE encourages the society to use these Sesotho sa Leboa, Tshivenda & Xitsonga gender terminologies in a way that upholds human dignity and the protection of human rights. Public information centres are also encouraged to disseminate this brochure broadly to communities so that social cohesion and appreciation of linguistic human rights can be achieved.

……………….............. Dr Dennis Matotoka Chief Executive Officer 5 March 2025

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Gender Terminology Booklet