Debate on Language: Woman or Uterus Carrier?

In recent years, the debate on how women are referred to in legislation and public texts has intensified. This discussion is not unique to Sweden but has an international dimension, where the question of inclusive language is weighed against traditional expressions and women’s rights.

Historical Background

Historically, women have fought for linguistic visibility and representation in society. Throughout the 20th century, the feminist movement was a strong force in establishing terms that recognized women’s roles and existence in language. Issues of women’s rights, including suffrage, labor market equality, and bodily autonomy, have long been central to feminist struggles.

As trans and non-binary rights have gained more recognition, language has taken on a new role in the discussion. Terms such as “the pregnant person,” “uterus carrier,” and “menstruator” have been introduced in certain contexts to include individuals who do not identify as women but possess female biological functions.

Current Debate

In Sweden, the debate gained momentum after a government inquiry proposed replacing the word “woman” in the abortion law with “the pregnant person” to be more inclusive. The proposal quickly faced criticism from several directions. Critics argued that this erases women and reduces them to their biological functions, while supporters saw it as an important step in including transgender and non-binary individuals.

The government ultimately decided to retain the word “woman” in the legislation, which was welcomed by those who believe that women’s rights should be explicitly recognized in language. Meanwhile, the discussion on how language should be adapted to both preserve women’s rights and include other groups in society continues.

International Perspectives

This issue is not unique to Sweden. Similar discussions have taken place in the United Kingdom, where hospitals and government agencies have, in some cases, used terms such as “people with a uterus” instead of “women” to include trans men and non-binary individuals. This has led to strong reactions, and in some cases, institutions have reverted to using the word “woman” after criticism.

In the United States, several states have seen legal battles over the language used in laws related to gender and healthcare. For example, discussions about abortion rights and gender-affirming care have often involved debates about which terms should be used to describe those covered by the laws.

What Is the Core of the Issue?

At first glance, the issue may seem to be about semantics, but it is fundamentally a power struggle between different movements. Feminists fighting for women’s rights see it as a threat when women are reduced to their biological functions, while the trans movement and its allies see it as a necessary adaptation to acknowledge gender diversity in society.

The Future of Language

How this language issue will evolve remains to be seen. Different institutions will likely adopt different strategies, and we can expect continued debate on how best to balance inclusion with clarity and respect for women’s rights.

It is clear that language is never neutral and that word choices both reflect and shape society’s values. As views on gender and identity continue to evolve, language will remain a battleground for ideological and political debate.