Skip to main content

Gender-inclusive language

Gender-inclusive language is more welcoming to your users and promotes gender equality. Do not reference gender unless absolutely necessary.

Sign up for notifications

Join the mailing list to get notifications of updates to the content design guidance.

Just email the team at info@digital.govt.nz.

About gender identity

Gender identity refers to a sense of self, regardless of what sex a person was assigned at birth. Not everyone falls neatly into binary male or female categories.

Non-binary is an umbrella term for gender identities that are neither male or female.

Language influences how we think

When using gender pronouns and referring to gender identity consider that:

  • your users are a diverse group of people from across the gender spectrum
  • labelling people as male or female can reinforce outdated stereotypes and influence how men and women are perceived.
  • gender-exclusive language — for example ‘man-made’, can alienate people who do not identify as men.

Tips

  • Use gender-neutral pronouns (they, them) by default — especially if you’re writing about a hypothetical person or do not know a person’s pronoun.
  • Respect a person’s pronouns when referring to them.
  • Do not ask your users for their title or gender unless absolutely necessary.
  • If you do require users to indicate their title or gender, make provision for multiple options, including gender-neutral options. Allow users to select more than 1 option.
  • Avoid words that are gender exclusive — for example use ‘firefighter’ not ‘fireman’.
Examples of gender-neutral language
  • they, them or their — not he, she
  • spouse or partner — not husband, wife
  • parent — not mother, father
  • different sex — not opposite sex
  • businessperson — not businessman, businesswoman
  • police officer — not policeman, policewoman
  • chair — not chairman, chairwoman
  • machine-made, artificial, synthetic — not man-made

Resources

Identity of the rainbow population — Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission

Reviewing the statistical standards for sex and gender — Stats NZ

Prism report — Human Rights Commission

Pronoun use in email signatures — Public Service Commission

2018 Survey Report — Counting Ourselves

Avoid referencing gender unless it’s absolutely relevant — Content Design London

Designing forms for gender diversity and inclusion — UX Collective

How to use gender neutral language and why it’s important to try — Forbes

Gender — World Health Organisation

Utility links and page information

Was this page helpful?
Thanks, do you want to tell us more?

Do not enter personal information. All fields are optional.

Last updated