Fight against aesthetic pressure in its multiple representations. In the crusade of the Generalitat de Catalunya to combat it, around 60 different actions have been planned -many of them still to be defined- in the field of fashion, education, health or the work environment to respond and eradicate this “violence symbolism against women”, the Minister for Equality and Feminism Tània Verge defended at the presentation press conference. Among the measures, a pilot test will be launched in the administration to promote blind CVs in personnel selection processes. Fashion brands will also be forced to increase their range of sizes or recommendations will be made to avoid discrimination. The plan, endowed with a budget of 12.5 million, is expected to be approved this same month of April.
“We want women to stop being at war with their own bodies”, assured Minister Verge, who began the presentation of the plan by recalling some of the worrying data that makes it necessary to work on the aesthetic pressure that women fundamentally suffer, such as that 60% of young women between the ages of 18 and 24 feel dissatisfied with their bodies. Verge has lamented that “aesthetic pressure” is very installed in our society, so much so that “all women know what it is” and she has blamed patriarchy for it because it “objectifies”. And to respond to this “symbolic violence against women”, she has defended the promotion of a “pioneering” action plan of which many aspects still need to be defined or specified.
Among the measures, a pilot test will be developed in the selection processes with blind CVs that aims to avoid discrimination based on physical appearance, race or age. The purpose is to select based on experience, skills or training “without knowing what the person’s face looks like”, explained Meritxell Benedí, director of the Institut de la Dona. The aesthetic pressure in the world of work has also motivated the promotion of recommendations for the regulation of uniforms that respect body diversity and avoid aesthetic pressure.
The plan also puts the focus on the field of fashion both on the catwalk and on clothes that are sold to the general public. In this sense, through the reform of the Consumer Code, the obligation will be promoted for all fashion brands that operate in Catalonia to expand the range of sizes available and also to report the equivalencies of sizes and measurements. The rule will apply to brands that have at least three stores. Another of the measures is an agreement to promote “body neutrality” with awareness campaigns, for example, at 080 Barcelona Fashion or Bridal Week with models with body diversity outside the usual canons.
Action will also be taken in fields such as education and sport, including contents related to aesthetic pressure in the curriculum. The plan foresees improvements in care for Eating Disorders (TCA) and creating consultancies on eating and body image for adolescents.
