Paris Soir - Mattel unveils Barbie doll with Down syndrome

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	-0.53%	20.81	$
BTI	-1.12%	55.35	$
BCE	-0.59%	23.67	$
BP	0.52%	43.81	$
RIO	0.42%	103.27	$
BCC	2.64%	79.21	$
AZN	-1.27%	162.7	$
GSK	-1.96%	49.89	$
NGG	-0.06%	78.12	$
JRI	-0.58%	12.14	$
CMSD	-0.34%	20.69	$
RBGPF	0%	70	$
RYCEF	0.7%	19.92	$
VOD	1.89%	16.9	$
RELX	-3.21%	35.51	$

Mattel unveils Barbie doll with Down syndrome

ECONOMY 25.04.2023

Mattel unveils Barbie doll with Down syndrome / Photo: Jason Tidwell - MATTEL/AFP

US toy manufacturer Mattel unveiled a new Barbie doll Tuesday representing a person with Down syndrome, as it seeks to allow more children to see themselves in the popular figure.

Text size:

The toy was brought to market through work with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), to ensure it accurately represents someone with the condition, the company said.

"Barbie plays an important role in a child's early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play," said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel.

"Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves," she added in a statement.

The new doll has a face and body sculpt aimed at being "more illustrative of women with Down syndrome, including a shorter frame and a longer torso," said Mattel.

For example, the face sculpt has a rounder shape, smaller ears and flat nasal bridge. The eyes are slightly slanted as well in an almond shape.

Meanwhile, the doll's dress pattern includes butterflies along with yellow and blue colors -- symbols associated with Down syndrome awareness.

"This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation," said NDSS president Kandi Pickard. "It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating."

Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome, which changes how their body and brain develop.

Previously, Mattel rolled out a series of Barbie dolls dedicated to feminist or other inspirational icons.

Barbie has 175 looks, according to Mattel.

The latest doll's release comes as a live-action film about Barbie is expected to hit the screens in July, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

U.Andre--PS

Featured

Bangladesh measles toll nears grim 1,000-child mark

Bangladesh's deadliest measles outbreak in decades is nearing the grim milestone of 1,000 child deaths, as a devastating epidemic sweeps through the country and crowded hospital wards fill with struggling babies.

Bolivia farmers return to streets over diesel price hikes

Several hundred coca farmers and supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales demonstrated in the central city of Cochabamba on Friday over the government's doubling of diesel prices, AFP reporters said.

S&P Revises Outlook on Freedom Holding Corp. and Core Subsidiaries to Positive

S&P Global Ratings has revised the outlook on the long-term credit ratings of Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding Corp. and its four core operating subsidiaries from “stable” to “positive,” while affirming their international credit ratings.

Moody’s Assigns First-Time Insurance Financial Strength Ratings to Freedom Insurance and Freedom Life

Moody’s Ratings has assigned insurance financial strength ratings to two Freedom Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: FRHC) insurance subsidiaries for the first time. Freedom Finance Insurance JSC, operating as Freedom Insurance, received Ba1 local- and foreign-currency insurance financial strength ratings, while Freedom Life JSC received Baa3 ratings. Both carry stable outlooks.