Toolbox for using gender-inclusive language in English
The Toolbox for using gender-inclusive language in English is a set of training materials, activities and resources for individuals or groups looking for ways to raise awareness of the subject, better understand how to apply the Guidelines and/or promote further discussions in their teams.
The materials, activities and resources included in the Toolbox can be used independently from one another. The goal is to encourage United Nations staff to actively use gender-inclusive language principles in English and share best practices with other colleagues in the workplace. Each tool provides step-by-step guidance that includes clear goals, relevant resources and suggestions on the next steps.
New resources and training programmes in the six languages will be included in the Toolbox as they become available.
Goal
This tool contains three activities, designed for all staff in the UN System. The goal is to show you how to apply the gender-inclusive guidelines to any communication (oral, written, formal, informal) to make it more gender-inclusive.
After completing these activities, you should have a deeper understanding of what “gender-inclusive communication” means and how you can make your communication more gender-inclusive.
Instructions
You can complete these activities on your own or in a group. Compare your responses with the suggested responses at the end of the tool and/or with the responses of others in your group.
Timeframe
20 minutes-1h
Objective
This webinar aims to raise awareness of the use of gender-inclusive guidelines in English and the resources available in the Organization to all those who do not have explicit prior knowledge on the subject or who wish to review the guidelines.
At the end of the webinar, the participants will be able to:
- Understand and apply gender-inclusive guidelines in English.
- Participate in a conversation about gender-inclusive language in relation to the reference documents in the Organization.
- Identify gender-neutral or gender-inclusive aspects present in the English language such as co-equal phrases and nouns that are not gender-specific to make gender visible or not visible when communication requires it.
- Apply gender-inclusive strategies in their own oral or written communications.
Description
2-hour teacher-led webinar. Learn to apply three strategies for avoiding discriminatory language and making gender visible, or not visible, as required by the “UN Guidelines for Gender-Inclusive Language in English.” This webinar is designed for participants with an advanced level in English (UN III Level).
Eligibility
This training is available to all those in the UNHQ Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU).
Duration
Approximately 2 hours webinar
Calendar and Registration
For information about the course terms and registration periods, consult the . Visit and consult the current course brochure to know more about the dates and schedule. Navigate to the for information on eligibility, registration, and terms and conditions.
More information
For more information please contact the Language and Communications Training Unit using .
For general inquiries, please write to dos-cdots-lctu@un.org
Objective
The objective of this training is for participants to explore ways to integrate a gender-inclusive approach into oral and written communications and to apply the recommendations for gender-inclusive communication in English.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify gender-inclusive and exclusive elements in written and oral texts.
- Apply the principles for gender-inclusive communication in formal and informal oral and written texts.
Description
In this course, participants will have 3 weeks to complete various activities directly on the learning platform, including completing various guided activities, participating in online forums and giving feedback to classmates. Participants will also receive feedback from the teacher. There will be one online, live session. It is designed for participants with an advanced level in English (UN III Level).
Eligibility
This training is available to all those in the UNHQ Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU).
Duration
Approximately 3 hours every week during 3 weeks to engage on the learning platform and one 1.5 hour online, live session.
Calendar and Registration
For information about the course terms and registration periods, consult the . Visit and consult the current course brochure to know more about the dates and schedule. Navigate to the for information on eligibility, registration, and terms and conditions.
More information
For more information please contact the Language and Communications Training Unit using .
For general inquiries, please write to dos-cdots-lctu@un.org
Goal
The goal of this workshop is to raise awareness on the topic and show participants how to apply the Guidelines to any communication (oral or written, formal or informal) to make it more gender-inclusive as a way to promote gender equality and eradicate gender bias. The Guidelines are available in the six official languages and have been tailored to each language.
Goal
The main objective of the session is to bring together managers and staff with supervisory responsibilities to raise awareness on how they communicate with their teams and to discuss how to apply and promote the Guidelines for gender-inclusive language. The Guidelines are available in the six official languages and have been tailored to each language.
Additional resources (on gender-inclusive language) published by various entities within the UN System
- Checklists
-DGC Gender-checklist for content creation (2018) [EN]
- Guidelines and indicators/principles
-ESCWA Gender-Sensitive Language Guidelines (2014)
-FAO-Dimitra Communicating gender for rural development (2011) []
-DGACM Tips For Gender Sensitive Communication In DGACM [EN]
-ITU English Language Style Guide (2016) []
-UNDP Principles of Gender-Sensitive Communication (2017) []
-UNDP Guide pour la sensibilité au genre des communications nationales (2015) []
-UNESCO Guidelines on Gender-neutral Language (1999) [], []
-UNESCO Gender-sensitive indicators for media (2017) [] [] [] []
-UNHCR Recomendaciones para el uso de un lenguaje inclusivo de género (2018) []
-UN Secretariat Editorial Directive ST/CS/SER.A/41 (1998) [] []
-UN Women Gender-inclusive language guidelines (2017) [] [] []
- Glossaries
-IFAD Glossary on gender issues (2017) []
-UN Women Gender-equality glossary (2017) [] [] []
-UN Women GenderTerm 2017) []
- Terminology Database
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- Other documents
-Recommendations for inclusive workplaces for trans and gender nonconforming staff members, dependents, and
other stakeholders of the UN System, UN-GLOBE (2018) []