A new doll representing a person with Down's syndrome was launched by US toy manufacturer Mattel last week. This reflects the company's commitment to diversity and inclusivity and its effort to counter social stigma through play.
"Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves," Lisa McKnight, executive vice-president and global head of Barbie and dolls at Mattel, said.
In 1968, Mattel launched Christie, one of the first black dolls, and the company continues to recognise the importance of representation. Among Barbie's 175 looks, there is also Barbie in a wheelchair, Barbie with a prosthetic leg, Barbie and Ken in different skin tones, body types and so forth.
So, let's take a look at Mattel's evolution timeline towards diversity and inclusivity.
1968: Christie, one of the first black dolls, is released.
1969: Nurse Julia, one of the first black celebrity dolls, is released.
1971: Live Action Christie.
1980: First black and Hispanic dolls named Barbie are released.
Then, the company began launching Barbie in various careers traditionally held by men to show girls they can be anything.
1989: Pilot Barbie.
1991: Navy Admiral Barbie.
1993: Medical Sergeant Barbie.
1995: Firefighter Barbie.
1997: Palaeontologist Barbie.
2004 and 2008: President Barbie.
2015: Astronaut Barbie.
To highlight diversity in terms of appearance, in 2015, Barbie introduced three new body types: curvy, tall and petite. In 2017, the company also released Ken in new body types and a range of diverse features including a man bun, cornrows and freckles. In 2019, dolls reflecting permanent physical disabilities were added to the product line-up including a doll in a wheelchair or those with prosthetic legs.
