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Use of 'females' in Skill & Demand in Industry 2015 survey.

Former Community Member over 9 years ago

I've just been reading the Skills & Demand in Industry 2015 survey and found myself gritting my teeth repeatedly as women are referred to as 'females' throughout the document. I don't mind being called a 'female engineer', but using female as a noun is something I usually only encounter in real life from the type of person who thinks I should be making the tea. There are many, many explanations on the internet of why calling us 'females' infuraites some people; one of my particular favourites is here: http://jezebel.com/the-problem-with-calling-women-females-1683808274

I really think IET should know better as an apparent supporter of gender diversity. What do other people think?

0 Former Community Member over 9 years ago

Thank you for posting this. It is very interesting and very good to be aware of. I have forwarded your message to our Communications Department.

Feel free to e-mail me at womensnetwork@theiet.org if you would like to discuss further.

Best wishes,

Jo
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0 Former Community Member over 9 years ago

Thanks for the reponses. Cathryn, I agree that people are often completely unaware of what the word can sound like. I also know women who do not find it offensive at all. So, while it grates on me personally, I do try not to judge people who use it.

Organisations like the IET, however, I think have a responsibility to make themselves aware of this kind of thing. So Jo, I really appreciate you forwarding this to comms. I do hope they'll take note and modify the language in future publications.
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Use of 'females' in Skill & Demand in Industry 2015 survey.

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