Perth forum to tackle women’s body image

“Get Real”, a major event on body image issues for women, will take place in Perth on Friday March 7 in the lead up to International Women’s Day.
It will be held in the Government House Ballroom at 7pm. Admission is free.
Hosted by Women’s Forum Australia (WFA), the event will look at issues
around female body image, the objectification of women and premature
sexualisation of girls in popular culture.
Speakers include Adelaide researcher and Faking It author, Selena
Ewing, Kids Free 2b Kids founder Julie Gale, from Melbourne,  Canberra
author and Faking It editor Melinda Tankard Reist.
An exhibition produced as part of WOMENS Healthworks PhotoVoice
project, celebrating women as whole people, will also be previewed. WFA
Director and local organiser, Karen Robinson, said the event would be
of interest to anyone concerned about the health of women and girls.
“Research shows that women feel worse about themselves after viewing
thin, ‘sexy’ airbrushed images of other women,” Ms Robinson said.
“As well, the premature sexualising of girls is linked with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and low self-esteem.
“Recent reports show that one in five girls under 12 use fasting and
vomiting to lose weight and one in four wants cosmetic surgery. This
should ring alarm bells for anyone concerned about the health and
wellbeing of children.”