ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistan women’s cricket team captain, Sana Mir hasslammed advertising companies for promoting fair and smooth skin.
In a Facebook post, Mir mentioned how young girls who aspire to launchthemselves into sports are being brainwashed by companies that aim to givethem “beautiful” skin.
The former captain called out celebrities and sponsors who are alwaysspeaking up on matters of female objectification, but fail to realise thatthe products they are endorsing promote the same.Mir wrote, “We see endless posts and statuses on social media expressingour anger. But I have seen very few sponsors or celebrities actually take astand to support women being comfortable in their own skin.”
The 32-year-old cricketer said that a Mahira Khan ad for a hair removalcream pushed her to address the issue. Speaking of the campaign, Mirpenned, “A campaign for both Pakistan and India is magnifying a girl’sconcern about how she looks on a basketball court. The worst thing is thatinstead of sending a message to young girls that the colour or texture oftheir skin does not matter, we are promoting body shaming andobjectification.”
The right-handed cricketer mentioned that during her 12-year career, shehas rejected various offers of endorsements as they promote unrealistic andunnecessary expectations of beauty.
She concluded with a message stating, “I request all sponsors andcelebrities to ensure that when we engage young girls to fulfill theirdreams. We show them a path that gives them actual confidence, rather thandisabling them by making them self-conscious.”