Gender-sensitive language is also known as gender-inclusive language, or simply gendering. This refers to the effort to create gender equality in speaking and writing through improved word choice and expression.
The term generic masculine refers to a usage convention that was accepted as common in the 20th century; women were included, the "third option" was not yet offered. However, numerous studies in psycholinguistics have shown that masculine terms are often only assigned to men. This happens significantly more with job titles that are predominantly used by men than with words that describe larger, more abstract groups, such as "taxpayer".
On the one hand, gender-sensitive language ensures that women are more visible by explicitly naming them. On the other hand, it aims to ensure the visibility of all genders. Gender symbols such as the gender star symbolize that transgender, intersex and non-binary people are meant alongside women and men. Gender-sensitive language can also be achieved by using gender-neutral language. If no one is named, no one has priority.
Source: Friedrich Ebert Foundation, 2025, https://www.fes.de/wissen/gender-glossar