Barbie release new dolls for International Women's Day!

Hannah_Alumni

In honour of International Women's Day which is the 8th of March 2024, Barbie has created a role model range of dolls.

[Image above is of Mattel's 2024 International Women's Day Barbie dolls]

Eight women from around the world now have their own one-of-a-kind doll. They are:

• Viola Davis (United States): Actress, activist, author
• Shania Twain (Canada): Musician, style icon
• Helen Mirren (United Kingdom): Actress, advocate for women
• Kylie Minogue (Australia): Musician
• Maira Gomez (Brazil): Content creator
• Lila Avilés (Mexico): Director, producer and screenwriter
• Nicole Fujita (Japan): Model, TV personality
• Enissa Amani (Germany): Comedian, activist

But these dolls will not be sold in stores. And instead, have been given to each woman as a gesture of gratitude for the work they've done.

Lisa McKnight, the executive vice president and chief brand officer for Mattel, in an exclusive quote to People, said;

"For many years, we realized we had an opportunity not only to position Barbie as a role model, but to use the brand to create likeness dolls of real women to give girls exposure to real people breaking through glass ceilings and achieving amazing things," This year we're honoring an amazing group of women most notably known as storytellers, songwriters and actors because we believe that storytelling is such a critical way to inspire and communicate and help people appreciate the journeys that these amazing women have been through."

The article with People goes on to talk about the design process and how each role model feels about their doll. It's lovely to see such a collaborative process and I highly recommend reading the article.

But over to you:

• What are your thoughts on the eight women chosen?
• Do you think Barbie should sell these dolls in store? 
• Is there a role model you would like to see in doll form?

MW123

I am really not sure about Mattel's decision to make dolls based on successful women. On one hand, it seems like a positive move, giving young girls more diverse role models to look up to.  But deep down, I can't help feeling that there might be more to it than meets the eye.

Are they really doing this to empower girls, or is it just a way to cash in on the trend of socially conscious products?  Even though they're not selling these dolls and are giving them to the women they're based on, I can't help but wonder about their true motives. 

While dolls may have some influence on young girls, it's the broader influences of family, society, and culture that significantly shape who the girls will become, more so than inanimate objects like dolls.

Hannah_Alumni

@MW123 There is always that commercial aspect to launches like this. I do think Barbie were the right ones to do it off the back of the Barbie Movie. It's helped bring in more attention. 

I do agree with your comments on broader influences. But I think some children either don't have that influence or they don't respond to that influence as much as a doll could. More so in the younger years.

Although I agree with the women they have chosen, who have done amazing things, I can't help but wonder why other women weren't chosen? What was their criteria? And why 8? and not 10? 

WhatThe

Because it's held on the 8th of March? 

Happy International Women's Day to all 

Hannah_Alumni

@WhatThe Didn't even connect that I just think look at this long list of amazing women we have in the world!