“Dress more elegantly! Be a lady! A little makeup never killed anyone!” These unrealistic expectations and social pressures destroy the originality, self-esteem and psyche of young girls. Stop it!
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women condemns any distinction, exception or limitation based on sex which is aimed at weakening or minimizing the recognition or exercise by women, regardless of their marital status, based on of the equality of men and women, human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. (article 1).
Authors: Deyan Valentinov, Ivelina Tikhomirova (XIb grade) and Silvia Alexandrova (IXa grade) from the “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Montana.
Reflection Questions:
- How do expectations for women of a certain appearance relate to human rights?
- Which are the dominant stereotypes related to the gender roles in your community?