Oct 16, 2011

If you're ugly.....you ain't going nowhere

Miss Representation Film - WATCH THISThe film explores how the media’s misrepresentation of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence.


We need more female representation in all public spheres - especially politics and in the media. People learn so much more from the media than any other source of information - it shapes our politics, our national discourse and our perceptions of what it is to be a man or a woman in today's society. 


Women are too often judged on how they look, putting aside their intellectual capacity or power to make a difference. From a young age we are programmed to believe that we will be successful if we look good and men will appreciate us if we look good - from Barbies to silly rom-coms, the message is clear: Look beautiful and you'll make it.


Our media (which is predominantly made up of men..) seems to enjoy patronising and undermining strong women who are in powerful posts. A strong example that stands out is Mary Portas' insult directed at the female members of the cabinet, calling them all 'an ugly bunch'. Her insult along with 'Calm down dear..' undermine the integrity and public face of our most talented female politicians. 


The same happened in Spain when Zapatero formed his cabinet, compromised of 9 female members (hurrah!) - but what did the media focus on? Their dress sense.... their looks.... their sensuality and the fact one of them was pregnant AND head of the armed forces.... how DARE a women lead our armed forces... isn't that a man's job? NO!


We must fight these preconceptions, fight for more female representation and put pressure on the media to create more female dominate roles to provide better role models for the future generation of women. 






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