We need to make girls feel confident about their own body, says Swinson (Charnwood Liberal Democrats)

Charnwood Liberal Democrats <brianedward.smith@lineone.net>

We need to make girls feel confident about their own body, says Swinson

August 4, 2010 11:51 AM
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats

Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

"I am delighted that Girlguiding UK is taking up this issue. I co-founded the Campaign for Body Confidence out of concern that people of all ages are feeling so much pressure over their body image - especially young girls.

"There is plenty of scientific evidence that being exposed to so many unrealistic images in the media can be harmful to people's health and wellbeing.

"We need to make girls feel confident about their own body and to help them realise that manipulated images are unrealistic and untrue. Girls need to stop being encouraged to aspire to the unreachable as they will only become more and more unhappy in the process."

Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone added:

"The Girl Guides have done an incredible amount of work over recent years with their annual 'attitude surveys' and their most recent survey showed that girls as young as ten are worried about their weight. I have sent them a message of support."