We are less than three months away from the May elections, and the news is fully abuzz with the actions of the political world and its new campaigns. However it seems the most ludicrous the method, the better.
It has been marketed as a way of connecting with women “around the kitchen table”
The thing that has captured my attention the most is the Barbie bus put together by Labour. It will tour 70 constituencies around the UK prior to the elections, with the task of informing women about the upcoming elections. It has been marketed as a way of connecting with women “around the kitchen table”, reaching out to them in their everyday lives. It is set to tour supermarkets, schools and shopping centres, to name a few.
It’s somewhat insulting to think these are our typical spots of choice. It also smacks of being rather patronising.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m the ‘girliest girl’ you’ll meet. I have an unhealthy obsession with the colour pink, and an even unhealthier obsession with all things glittery. The colour of the bus isn’t a problem here. It’s what it represents. As females, we have all been banded together in one category, a simple ‘to do’ list to cross off. But we are not all the same.
The bus, which has been labelled as the lovechild of Sheila’s Wheels and Malibu Barbie’s campervan, may not have the right ideas on the surface. It has caused a stir about gender; the stereotypical argument of whether women can be banded together as one little group. But I do agree with the intentions of Harriet Harman and her pals. Yes, some women do have different patterns in their lives. Yes, some may need to be given that advice in their local haunts. And yes, some women may want have that chat around the kitchen table. But that isn’t the case for every one of us. Women act and think differently, and they vote differently too.
there were over 9.1 million women who didn’t vote in 2010
Less than a month ago, Emma Watson, amongst other influential female spokespeople, addressed the Gender Equality forum at the World Economic Forum in Davos, reiterating the growing success of the HeforShe campaign, and how on an international level, many countries had pledged for women to receive the same opportunities as men politically, socially and economically.
We need to turn our attention back to these issues. Like the fact that a huge chunk of us didn’t participate in the last election (there were over 9.1 million women who didn’t vote in 2010), or the fact that so many of us are still undecided on where our vote is going. Radio 4 published a poll that showed a noticeable gap between the amount of women and men left undecided on their political choice – 25% of men, but jumping to 35% of women. And whilst we’re throwing around facts and figures, why not mention the disproportionate level of senior female executives? There is even disparity in childcare laws – the fact that mothers have prioritised time off over fathers – should that not be an equal right?
Labour, you may have attracted the attention of the nation. But is it really for the right reasons?
Now let’s get back to the real issues at hand, not Malibu Barbie’s bus.
By Naomi White
Naomi White
I’m a twenty-something young woman who has recently begun her career in the city. After moving to London last year, I can safely say I’m already hooked.
I graduated not too long ago, uprooting my life in Swansea in favour of a new direction. The last few years in Wales have allowed me to explore as many opportunities as possible, from working in the Welsh government, from trying my hand at rowing, to writing for the student blog.
But now I work for a media house, so I’m surrounded by marketing and publicity all day. I love it as I am able to stay on top of the news almost 24/7, skimming through every article and every opinion piece I can lay my hands on. And by that I don’t just mean the latest pictures of Kim Kardashian (you’ve got me – guilty pleasure).
This blog will cover the run up to the elections in May, what our often crazy politicians are doing, and how you can get involved with it all.
