A week ago, the internet exploded when #TheDress appeared on the internet. Science has explained why people see so many different colours (personally, I see white and gold, and have not been able to see any other colours), but the buzz has not simmered down. Nonetheless, no matter what colour you think #TheDress is, you should now be turning your attention to this viral ad campaign started by the Salvation Army in South Africa.
“Why is it so hard to see black and blue,” the captivating image asks. And below, “The only illusion is if you think it was her choice. One in six women are victims of abuse. Stop abuse against women.” For those of you who haven’t been following at home, the original dress that started the controversy is in fact blue and black. (You can see the owner of #TheDress on Ellen.)
The answer to the previous question is, “Because they cover it with white and gold.” The point of this campaign is to try and stop abuse against women, but more so to try and make it easier for victims to report any type of abuse. Even though the campaign started in South Africa, domestic abuse is also relevant in Canada, and all over the world. “In 2010, victims of family violence made up a quarter of all victims of violence crime; half were spouses.” – Global News
This ad campaign was very clever, in that it got people’s attention by using a viral subject but also in that it turned a silly dress into something so powerful. The timing was also perfect, being released just before International Women’s Day on March 8th. “Make It Happen” is the theme of Women’s Day this year, challenging the world to step up and take action. We don’t need to wait for a single year each day to try and make a difference. The power to change the world lies in your hands every single day. It’s up to you to decide what to do with that power.
(P.S. I understand that women are not the only targets of abuse. Domestic abuse comes in all shapes and sizes, and the suffering of a person cannot be confined by the person’s gender. However, the majority of domestic abuse cases happen to be ones where a woman is being abused by a man. Campaigns like these are surely aware of that fact. It is up to us as a society to try to prevent suffering and mistreatment for everyone.)
FTC: This is not a sponsored post, and all opinions are completely genuine.
