The Dutch academy Dikke van Dale announced last month the addition of a new term for the labia – vulvalippen – to replace the older, stigma‑laden word schaamlippen (“shame lips”). The move is seen as the latest foothold in a long‑running European campaign to replace misogynistic or judgmental words within medicine and everyday speech.
Shari Klein, co‑founder of the campaign ‘Schaamteloos,’ explained how language shapes perception: “Words that contain ‘scham’ carry an unconscious shame.” She urged the dictionary to adopt a neutral, anatomically correct term so that women no longer feel judged by the very language the health sector uses.
The Dutch update is echoing similar milestones elsewhere. In Germany, a petition has asked that “shamlippen” become “vulvalippen.” Sweden’s RFSU introduced “slidkrans” to replace the archaic notion of a “maidenhood skin” that feeds myths about virginity. In the UK, feminist voices like Nicola Denson‑Elliott lobby for the term “uterectomy” instead of “hysterectomy.” These efforts underscore a growing consensus that respectful, neutral terminology can help de‑stigmatise women’s bodies and health experiences.
Indigenous communities worldwide have long recognised the power of naming. Many traditional cultures use neutral, descriptive names for female anatomy that honour bodily function rather than shame. Native medicine texts, for instance, emphasize the healer's relationship with the body without invoking the taboo words that are often imposed by colonial or mainstream medical practices. Incorporating culturally respectful terms can therefore align modern health care with ancient wisdom, fostering a sense of belonging and dignity.
Whether the change will catch on beyond the dictionary remains to be seen, but it could set a precedent for other countries to review medical vocabularies. By moving away from shame‑laden language, the Dutch step may inspire wider discussion about how we speak to, about, and for women’s health across the globe.
