The “body positive” campaign, run by the Spanish government in partnership with a feminist NGO, sparked controversy on social media. Setting off with the slogan “Write is ours too”, the action encourages women not to be ashamed of showing their bodies on the beach.
The graphic piece shared on social media shows five women outdoors wearing bikinis: white, black, fat, thin and even a topless old woman after a mastectomy is featured on a poster of the Spanish Ministry of Equality.
“All bodies are valid and we have the right to live as we are, without guilt or shame,” said Irene Montero, the minister at the head of the ministry. However, the initiative was accused of promoting obesity, being viewed as an abuse of public money and not addressing other forms of discrimination, and the play’s author was accused of using photos without permission.
What is the ‘body positive’ campaign
The term “body positivity” or “body positivity” is associated with a movement that promotes the acceptance of the female body that does not conform to aesthetic standards glorified in the media.
Fat, thin bodies with scars, wrinkles, stretch marks or injuries should be given as much space as models and celebrities, he advocates for the movement.
This representation is part of a UNESCO document Diversity, Equality and Inclusionby determining that media should reflect diverse social groups, including women, different ethnicities and religions, immigrants, people with disabilities, those over 50, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other minority or discriminated groups.
With this in mind, the Spanish government decided to bet on a body positive campaign run in conjunction with the nonprofit Instituto da Mulher to break the prejudice against women on the beach and encourage them to live the summer without fear.
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Summer was chosen because, according to the Institute, domestic violence is more acutely experienced at that time, as well as physical discrimination.
Antonia Morillas, director of the Instituto da Mulher, said at the start of the campaign:
“When women are told that their bodies are not valid if they are weak, young, have stretch marks, cellulite or scars, and their self-confidence is destroyed, this directly affects our health and quality of life. . and with the opportunity to exercise and exercise all our rights.”
“To talk about corporal discrimination is to talk about the rights violations that women suffer in the absence of regulatory bodies.
“Bodily expectations are projected onto women and not only affect our self-esteem but also deny rights and stipulate the way we enjoy and exist in the public sphere”.
For this reason, he emphasized that the action wanted to convey the message that body diversity exists and that it should be embraced without stereotypes and violence.
Announcing the campaign, Antonia wrote on Twitter: “Different bodies covering all spaces, free from gender stereotypes. Summer is ours too. Free, equal and diverse”.
HE @InstMujeres spear #ElVeranoEsNuestro. Different bodies, free from gender stereotypes, covering all spaces. Summer is ours too. Free, equal and diverse. pic.twitter.com/BjS3YDaEYR
— Toni Morillas (@antoniamorillas) 27 July 2022
Campaign received criticism on social media
The goodwill of the body positive campaign has not spared criticism on social media. While some users questioned the use of public money in the initiative, many Spaniards used gordophobia (prejudice against fat individuals) to reject the action on the grounds that obesity is a disease that needs to be treated.
“I counted the ministries in Spain the other day and the accounts did not keep up. I forgot there was even a ministry promoting obesity. And this is not Consumption,” one internet user posted on Twitter.
He told the Spanish ministries the other day and did not tell me the accounts. If only I had forgotten that there was a time to promote obesity. Y is not consumption. https://t.co/0qi9axam5e
– Cristina Casabon (@casabonnline) 27 July 2022
“Until now, fat women couldn’t go to the beaches. Thank you Irene for improving our lives in nothing,” another wrote.
“100,000 Euros to tell us that fat women are fat,” one user said, sharing a screenshot of the campaign’s responsibility.
100000 €
To let us know that las gordas are fat. https://t.co/lHtkisopyp— Carolina ???? ???????? ???? (@Carolviartw) 27 July 2022
“Men who say fat women can go to the beach without permission [do Ministério] Equality.
Of course we will, but assuming you hate teaching [aos outros] a non-normative body. What we’re saying is that all bodies are fine, including your Manolo, who isn’t exactly the prettiest”.
Señores says we can go to the beach without the permission of the gordas Igualdad.
Of course, we’ll still get hate for teaching a non-normative body.
What we claim is that all bodies are good, also not exactly the prettiest tuyo Manolo— Ángela Rodríguez Pam ????️???? ♀️ (@Pam_Angela_) 27 July 2022
The problems are not limited to content or an investment of 100,000 euros. The day after her release, the author of the image was accused of using images of women without permission.
He agreed and declared that he would distribute the amount received for the job among those depicted.
Homophobic campaign already controversial in Spain
This is not the first time a campaign has sparked controversy in Spain.
But while the Equality Department’s lawsuit suggested its inclusion, a Snickers chocolate ad had to be taken down last year after it was criticized for homophobia.
“In the face of a wave of homophobia that has even led to murders in Spain, could Snickers think of a better idea than creating an ad that says you’re not yourself if you’re effeminate,” one of the world’s largest political parties said. tweeted one of the world’s largest political parties. country, occasionally leftist Podemos.
The 20-second video starring famous Spanish gay influencer Aless Gibaja showed him taking on the feminine form of a hungry man. While eating the candy, the man loses his feminine demeanor.
Equality Minister at the time, Irene Montero, also commented. “I wonder who would think it’s a good idea to use homophobia as a business strategy,” she tweeted.
He added that he expects an evolution from companies:
“Our society is diverse and tolerant. We hope that those who have the authority to decide what we see and hear in commercials and TV shows will find out.”
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source: Noticias
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