Feminist news from around the world (second edition)

I apologise for dreadfully neglecting this blog for the past 23 days, but I guess the past few weeks have been one of those times when it is better to concentrate on living life, rather than documenting it. Here is a quick round-up of interesting stories I have been hearing…

Members of parliament in France are calling for ads that feature airbrushed models to feature a disclaimer, and are framing the issue as one of public health for young women:

A group of 50 politicians want a new law stating published images have bold printed notice stating they have been digitally enhanced.

Campaigning MP Valerie Boyer, of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s UMP party, said the wording should read, ‘Retouched photograph aimed at changing a person’s physical appearance’.

Mrs Boyer, who has also written a government report on anorexia and obesity, added: ‘We want to combat the stereotypical image that all women are young and slim.

‘These photos can lead people to believe in a reality that does not actually exist, and have a detrimental effect on adolescents.”

If you feel like a taste of vintage misogyny, check out the July 1943 issue of Transportation Magazine, which includes ‘handy hints’ for male supervisors of women during World War II. Here’s a quick taster:

1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they’re less likely to be flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn’t be doing it, they still have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public efficiently.

2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined to be cantankerous and fussy. It’s always well to impress upon older women the importance of friendliness and courtesy.

3. General experience indicates that “husky” girls – those who are just a little on the heavy side – are more even tempered and efficient than their underweight sisters.

4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical examination – one covering female conditions. This step not only protects the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals whether the employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or physically unfit for the job.

There’s an interesting post on Feministing about population control, its impact on women and climate change. The comments are especially worth reading.

~ by anarchofemme on September 25, 2009.