'Make women feel seen': Why the Dutch have a new word for labia
Campaigners hope the new words will lead to less body shaming and more sex positivity.
Reporting preview
Shari Klein spoke at a recent march celebrating the new word
Can you imagine seeing the words "shame lips" on your medical notes? The term, which can also be translated as "pubic lips", is the Dutch word for a women's body part. But, for some, it's just one of countless examples that are outdated and loaded with stigma.
Last month, leading Dutch dictionary Dikke van Dale said it would include a new term for the labia, "vulvalippen" - in its upcoming online edition - alongside the traditional term "schaamlippen".
European campaigners have long been calling for a rewrite of terms used to discuss women's bodies, sexuality and health. What unites them is the desire to move away from terms that are often seen as misogynistic or judgmental.
"Language shapes how we see ourselves," says Shari Klein, one of the founders of the Schaamteloos campaign, which targets words that use "schaam" or "shame".
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