Saudi Arabia: Nine in ten women unhappy with looks

[Al-khiyal]

In a recent study conducted by Unilever Arabia, nine in 10 Saudi women revealed they are unhappy with their physical appearance. A further 65% of those surveyed admitted to avoiding activities due to feeling self-conscious about their appearance. This prompted the company to launch the "Campaign for Real Beauty”.

The study also showed that 37% of young women, aged between 15 and 17, would consider undergoing plastic surgery in the near future while only 27% of older women agreed, according to Rola Tassabehji, Dove Regional Brand Manager.

The poll further revealed that 63% of Arab women feel threatened by the beauty ideals portrayed in the media, fashion catwalks and the entertainment industry.

Arab men play an important part in influencing women’s self-esteem, by comparing them to models on the cover of magazines and on their television screens, added Ms. Tassabehji. “But a woman can change her man’s opinions and convince him she is beautiful. It depends on how self-confident she is of her looks....”

More....

Not sure how objective a survey devised and conducted by a section of the cosmetics industry would be. And speaking of images:

Arab women’s image in the West negative

[nouha]

i think this is how women are in general.... wherever theyre from..

[Bent_Bladi]

well who can blame them... i mean they have these half naked plastic women on tv... the guys' expectations are going to be way above what their wife looks like... i don't know if u heard about this, but there was this so- called "sheikh" who made a dua saying "Allahuma 3ajrim nisa2ana"!!!! OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!

(if u don't know what that means, it means "may god make our women like nancy ajram")!!

BB

thank god *most* arab americans guys aren't shallow...

[Edited by Bent_Bladi on 24th March 2006 at 02:32]

[nouha]

bb.... that is soooo sad what that shaykh said.. whats his name??? and where did u hear it from ???

[Bent_Bladi]

well this happened a while ago... like right when nancy ajram came out so i don't really remember his name... but ppl refer to wat he said a lot...