What Is An Ombudsman?

What Is An Ombudsman? | Ombudsman or Ombudsperson

The word ‘ ombudsman ’ dates back to 1809 when the Swedish Parliament created a new official known as the Justitie-Ombudsman, referring to public officials appointed to investigate citizens complaints against governmental agencies. Ombudsman loosely translates as ‘ citizen's defender ’ or ‘ representative of the people ’. In Swedish the word ‘ombudsman’ is without gender and can indicate a person of either sex. However, it is becoming common to use the term ombudsperson in lieu of ombudsman. In some countries, the government ombudsman are named Public Protector.

Ombudsman or Ombudsperson

The difference between ombudsman and ombudsperson is that ombudsman is a person who can be man or women. The proper modern term is ombudsperson instead of ombudsman or ombudswoman.