Gender in-equality is an issue effecting the daily lives and mental health of individuals all over the world. Women expected to be hairless, submissive and ‘well behaved’ and men strong, emotionless and rich. Va-january is a campaign that aims to bridge the gap and claim back some social empowerment for women and men who don’t wish to let societal norms dictate their lives.
“Pubic hair removal naturally irritates and inflames the hair follicles left behind, leaving microscopic open wounds. Rather than suffering a comparison to a bristle brush, frequent hair removal is necessary to stay smooth, causing regular irritation of the shaved or waxed area. When that irritation is combined with the warm moist environment of the genitals, it becomes a happy culture media for some of the nastiest of bacterial pathogens�
“Women’s body hair is still stereotypically thought of as ‘gross’ and ‘unhygienic’, and it’s even left out of women’s razor adverts: “It’s insane - they’re shaving nothing! I guess it’s the same thing with menstrual blood, in the ads it will be a blue dot and won’t really talk about it.” Damn you, blue dot.”
It’s time to embrace our natural beauty and flaunt it for the whole world to see. So give not shaving a go this January and share the message; we want less binding and more equal social views of gender NOW!
Beauty is about attitude! Your confidence in your own body and how you choose to compose, dress and maintain it is all that matters. Your choices should give you empowerment and stregnth rather than feed the sexual fantasies and needs of other people.
Sources Petra Collins - The hairless norm Maud Fernhout - What real men cry like Rupi Kaur - Period Jemima Kirke - ID magazine Rachel Oakley - Monstrous feminine Ben Hopper - Natural beauty Guerrilla girls Liora K - equality Lana Woroniecka - comparison Lucy Jorgensen - Honey have you mowed the lawn Harrison Koisser - Peace