We should get rid of the false notion of the superiority of white skin
PESHAWAR: Pakistan is among those countries that spend hefty amounts of money on whitening creams — for the misplaced reason that white complexion is desirable and preferred to darker ones.
The recent crackdown by Zartaj Gul, the minister for climate change, against companies using amounts of mercury beyond the prescribed limits in whitening creams, is a commendable step. This is a huge health hazard. It can lead to serious problems such as kidney damage, skin rashes, skin discolouration and scars. Moreover, it can result in the inability of our skin’s resistance against bacterial and fungal infections. Apart from this, cosmetic products contain several other toxic substances.
According to a report, the global cosmetic products market will reach USD 863 billion by 2024. The desire to look young, white and attractive is the major driving force of this industry — particularly in Asia.
Women are more susceptible to this. In Asian countries like India and Pakistan, the chances of marriage depend on the complexion of a girl.
Advertisements, showing beautiful women with fair complexion, entice girls to use these products. Encouraging fairness causes inferiority complex in those with dark skin. Thus, they suffer from depression and anxiety. There needs to be more large-scale awareness about this. Moreover, government needs to take stern action against the companies failing to comply with health and safety guidelines.
Everyone should be proud of who they are, if one is to reach a high level of self-awareness. As Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American philosopher, said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
We should get rid of the false notion of the superiority of white skin. The colour of skin does not matter.
Hammad Khalil
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2019.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
