Majority of Irish girls lack body conf idence
THE vast majority of girls in Ireland do not have high body confidence, a poll has found.
A study conducted by Dove revealed 87% of girls in Ireland do not have high body esteem, placing them above the global average and amongst some of the highest figures globally.
Worryingly, insecurities appear to be causing girls to put their health at risk – with two-thirds reporting they did not attend a doctor’s appointment because they did not feel good about how they looked.
To launch its Self-Esteem Project, Dove conducted the study on just over 200 girls aged ten to 17 to unearth how they feel about themselves.
Almost two thirds (63%) of girls in Ireland reported not attending a school-related event because of the way they felt about their appearance.
The project aims to help young girls reach their full potential by disarming beauty ideals and providing supportive resources to help foster positive body image and selfesteem from an early age.
Dove ambassador and TV presenter Yvonne Connolly said this initiative can help girls make a change in how they view themselves.
‘As a mother of two daughters, I can see first-hand how a lack of confidence can affect young girls in all aspects of their lives,’ she said. ‘I had an accident in 2019 that badly affected my self-esteem, so this is an issue that is close to my heart. I was also shocked when I first read the stats, and found it especially sad to see how it all started at such a young age.’
Yvonne, 47, was referring to a horse riding accident that left her with facial injuries and a smashed arm. Her daughter Ali, 15, said it is important for young girls to have resources to help them build confidence, adding: ‘There is so much pressure on my generation to be perfect, not only from outside influences but from each other too.’
‘This is an issue close to my heart’