Barbie releases new dolls inspired by real life ‘sheroes’ to mark Women’s Day
When we think of Barbie dolls, long blonde hair, blue eyes and a skinny figure with pink dresses always comes to mind. But the brand aims to change this perception on Women’s Day where they have released a collection of new Barbie dolls based on inspiring women like Frida Kahlo and Ibtihaj Muhammad.
The company has chosen 17 modern-day ‘sheroes’ to represent in their line of inspiring women that they hope little girls can look up to.
This #InternationalWomensDay, we are honoring more female role models than ever before. Introducing the largest addition to our Sheroes line to date - meet our new Global Sheroes.
— Barbie (@Barbie) March 7, 2018
Share your role models with us to help inspire more girls using #MoreRoleModels. #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/NBwxxgDAXg
The group of chosen women are diverse in their occupation and race, including veiled fencing champion Ibtihaj Muhammad, Chinese actress and philanthropist Xiaotong Guan, the director of “Wonder Woman” Patty Jenkins and French Michelin-starred chef Helene Darroze.
The line of new dolls was created after the maker of Barbie, Mattel, conducted a survey of 8,000 mothers around the globe and found that 86% are worried about the kind of role models their daughters are exposed to.
In honor of #InternationalWomensDay, we are committed to shining a light on empowering female role models past and present in an effort to inspire more girls.
— Barbie (@Barbie) March 6, 2018
Join the conversation by sharing your role models using #MoreRoleModels. pic.twitter.com/5oJnZywk7s
“Girls have always been able to play out different roles and careers with Barbie and we are thrilled to shine a light on real life role models to remind them that they can be anything,” the company said in a news release.
Barbie have released a video on their Twitter account saying that they were “committed to shining a light on empowering female role models past and present in an effort to inspire more girls.”
Barbie’s attempts to diversify dolls
In early 2016, the California-based company launched Barbie versions in three different body shapes -- tall, petite and curvy -- and in seven different skin tones.
In December 2017, Mattel launched a Barbie doll based on US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, an American of Muslim faith who competes with a hijab head cover.
This diversification has allowed Barbie to be one of Mattel’s few successful toy lines, showing a nine percent growth in the fourth quarter of 2017 in a year that the company’s global sales dropped by 10.5 percent.
- With AFP
-
How 2017 has made 2018 a landmark year for women in Saudi Arabia
The past 12 months has seen an exciting string of landmark reforms that have granted Saudi women with greater freedoms in the kingdom. The changes ... Features -
Saudi women take the wheel, test-driving a new freedom
Fatima Salem giggles with hesitation when it’s her turn to drive through a small parking lot lined with bright orange cones and arrows. Like ... Gulf -
All-women crew Emirates flight takes off ahead of Women’s Day
Emirates Airlines released a video showcasing an Airbus A380 flight heading from Dubai to San Francisco fully operated by an all-women crew as a nod ... Variety