I was so excited to read this article in B&T by James Livesley:
"A new code of conduct on body image for advertisers, the media and the fashion industry was handed to the government today, including a recommendation to disclose digitally manipulated images.
The voluntary code of conduct was drawn up by a national advisory group including the former Cosmopolitan editor Mia Freedman, model Sarah Murdoch, Girlfriend editor Sarah Cornish, youth representative Amanda Scott and Butterfly Foundation Founder Claire Vickery.
The Federal Government announced the formation of the code in October last year, claiming the code is needed to help address the issue of physical and mental issues associated with unrealistic body images among Australian youth. The code was presented today as part of a report to Youth Minister Kate Ellis.
As well as recommending advertisers and media disclose digital manipulated images, it has also called for a more diverse range of shapes, size and ethnic backgrounds. The advisory group has also recommended that the government considers making the code mandatory, if the respective industries fail to act.
In timing with the handing over of the code, Sarah Murdoch is appearing on the cover of The Australian Women’s Weekly with an untouched photograph. The Federal Government is expected to respond early next year."
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This is a great first step in what will most likely be a long battle.
People's self esteem is such an important and often underestimated issue which can have so many health consequences such as Eating Disorders. I'm also really interested in how low self esteem is a barrier to people caring about anything else. It makes sense, if you hate yourself how can you have the capacity to care about other animals, people or the environment?
I think the Mission Australia's 2007 National Youth Survey, supports this theory. According to their research, the top issues of concern for young Australians are:
- Body Image
- The Environment
- Mental Health Issues
- Alcohol and physical / sexual abuse
The Body Shop hopes to become more active in the coming year around our Activate Self Esteem value. Heaps of people remember our campaign with Ruby, but that was way back in 1997! Time for us to get mucked in again!
It's heartening to see some fantastic organisations and individuals doing solid work to fight against the ugly side of the beauty industry. Amongst them are:
- The Butterfly Foundation - an amazing organisation doing great things to help people with eating disorders. The Body Shop is planning a big team up with them in 2010 (stay tuned). Check out their Tweets.
Mia Freeman - read her open Letter to Karl Lagerfeld (pictured right) and listen to her on ABC radio this morning.- French MPs - who are campaigning for air-brushed images to have to carry health warnings.
- Indigo Magazine - Every issue overflows with real girls, real images and real contributions from and for their readers.
According to Indigo:
It is early in life where health and wellbeing issues (self esteem, body image, depression etc) can begin, and we’re very excited to be part of an organisation making a significant and positive impact to support youth throughout their adolescent journey.
And a quote from one Indigo's readers:“I have just started to read Indigo, and I just wanted to say it is a great magazine! I really like that it is more about real girls and the issues that real girls face, rather than just celebrities and make up. indigo is also really great because it is not full of stick thin people, and clothes that only a size 2 could ever wear. It really shows young people like myself that there are more important things in life. I can't wait to read the next issue, and learn more about almost-teenagers/ teenagers like myself, and real issues that confront and confuse us.”
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