Gynäkologeninnen

Gynäkologeninnen is a neologism referring to female gynecologists. The term is a portmanteau of the German word "Gynäkologin" (female gynecologist) and the feminine plural ending "-innen," which is used in German to specifically denote women within a profession. The intention behind the creation and use of such terms is often to increase the visibility of women in a particular field and to emphasize gender inclusivity in language.

The field of gynecology, like many medical specialties, has historically been dominated by men. However, in recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of women entering and practicing gynecology. The term "Gynäkologeninnen" aims to acknowledge this demographic shift. It is primarily used in German-speaking contexts where gender-inclusive language is a topic of discussion.

While some may find the term redundant, as "Gynäkologin" already specifies a female gynecologist, its proponents argue that explicitly using terms like "Gynäkologeninnen" or "Ärztinnen und Ärzte" (female doctors and male doctors) actively promotes gender awareness and equality. The broader movement for gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language in German often involves creating new word forms or using existing feminine forms to represent women explicitly, even when a masculine plural might traditionally encompass both genders. The adoption and acceptance of "Gynäkologeninnen" vary among speakers and are part of ongoing linguistic evolution.